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Voykit pocket guide · India
Saharsa
Spend 1‑2 days in Saharsa for temple tours, Matsyagandha Lake and a short trip to Koshi Barrage; not a base for longer trips.
Saharsa is a district hub in Bihar's Mithila region. Its main draws are a handful of temples, the U‑shaped Matsyagandha Lake and the nearby Koshi Barrage. The city is well linked by train and road, but limited accommodation and dining mean a short stay is enough.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Avoid
- May–Jul (high heat, occasional floods)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹1,200–2,000 excl. bed · Mid ₹2,000–3,500 excl. bed · High ₹3,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police / all services 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Vegetables (per kg) | ₹30–50 |
| Fruit (per kg) | ₹40–70 |
| Local tea/coffee | ₹20–35 |
| Auto‑rickshaw (short ride) | ₹15–30 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PAT · Patna Airport
- ≈200 km (124 mi) south, main international gateway≈124 mi (200 km) south, main international gateway
- DBR · Darbhanga Airport
- ≈90 km (56 mi) east, limited domestic flights≈56 mi (90 km) east, limited domestic flights
Typical fares
- Patna → Saharsa (train, 2nd class)
- ≈₹600, 4–5 h (check schedule)
- Auto‑rickshaw 2 km within town
- ≈₹20–30
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Train to Saharsa Junction (main rail link). Roads SH 56, SH 66 and NH 27 connect to nearby towns; hire a car or auto‑rickshaw for local trips.
See and do
Known for
- Matsyagandha Lake
- Ugratara Mandir
- Koshi Barrage
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Koshi Barrage | Bus or hired car north 95 km (59 mi) via NH 27Bus or hired car north 59 mi (95 km) via NH 27 | ≈2 h each way |
Sleep
- Hotel Raj Darbar
- basic rooms, central location; verify if it is a hotel or restaurant
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | माफ़ कीजिएmaaf kijiye |
| Thank you | धन्यवादdhanyavaad |
| How much is this? | यह कितना है?yeh kitna hai? |
| Where is the bathroom? | शौचालय कहाँ है?shauchalay kahan hai? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Alcohol is prohibited in Bihar; only non‑alcoholic drinks sold in shops.
- Some listings call hotels “restaurants”; confirm accommodation before booking.
Saharsa is generally safe for day visitors; keep valuables secure, avoid isolated areas after dark, and respect the local alcohol ban.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Saharsa yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Matsyagandha Lake
- Ugratara Mandir
- Koshi Barrage
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Saharsa: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Saharsa, revision 5221869 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5221869
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Saharsa
इस पते पर ले चलिए
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / all services112
US consulate in Patna; other embassies in New Delhi.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/saharsa). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.