Tourism in Nawada deals with the pilgrimage tourism destinations, leisure tourism destinations and the flea markets. According to the historian it was once the religious place for Jains. Now the remains are there. But today also, this city is a most famous tourist destination in southern part of Bihar.
It was the centre for Hindus in the period of Pala Dynasty of Bengal in the early phase of medieval era.
Narad Museum
Nawada has a museum called the Narad Museum. It was established in the year 1974. The ancient relics and the remaining of the civilisation are present in the Narad Museum.
Temples in Nawada
There are significant temples and religious spots within the city that are Shobhnath Mandir Sankat Mochan Mandir, Surya Narayana Mandir, and Gonawa Jal Mandir. The Surya Narayana Mandir of Handiya is the earliest temple for Hindus. It is supposed to be of Dwapara Yuga. Surya Narayana Mandir of Handiya is constructed by the King of Magadha Jarasandha, Jarasandha"s daughter Dhaniya was suffering from leprosy and used to stay at this holy place every day for devotion. She used to have bath in the nearby pond and was cured. Soon after Dhaniya established a place of worship of Goddess Bhagwati in a close to village and a Shivalinga at Dhaniya hill, which is just a small distance away from main temple.
Handiya in Nawada
Handiya is the most remarkable place to visit for anyone. It is beautifully surrounded on the north side by Rajgir and on the south by river. Each year thousands of people come to visit this holy place. Surya Narayana Mandir is also famous for betel nuts like Magahi Pan.
Other Tourist destinations near Nawada
Apart from these, famous tourist places like Kakolat Falls, Bodh Gaya, Pawapuri, Nalanda, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Hazaribagh, Rajgir and Bihar can be reached by road within one or two hours from Nawada.