The Bihar tourism department is organizing a three-day 'Rajgir Mahotsav-2011' from December 27 to 29 at Rajgir, located around 110 km south-east of the state capital, which will be inaugurated by chief minister Nitish Kumar.

The event will showcase several cultural aspects of Bihar like 'palki sajja', 'tanga sajja', 'kisan shree mela', 'gram shree mela', 'sarva dharma manglacharan, 'mahila mahotsav' etc.

Tourists would also be offered royal rides on the recently-inaugurated phaetons at Rajgir, where Buddha had spent five years.

Adventure sports lovers will have something more to look forward to. Along with the cultural extravaganza in Rajgir, they will also be willing to try their hands at rock climbing, parasailing and paragliding at the hills of Rajgir. The tourism department will charge a nominal amount from the revellers for various adventure sports. Town lighting will also serve as one of the major attraction.

"Last year, we had organized Rajgir Mahotsav at a very short notice and thus faced lots of difficulties, but this year everything is well planned. With the success of this festival, our aim is to attract more and more tourists to our state," Sunil Kumar 'Pintu', tourism minister, said at a press conference on Saturday.

"Tourists to Rajgir can also visit other places related to the life of Buddha, akhara (wrestling ground) of ancient king Jarasandh and numerous exquisite temples of Jains, Buddhists and Hindus," said Kumar and added, "The ropeway which takes you uphill to the 'Shanti stupa' and monasteries built by the Japanese devotees on the top of Ratnagiri hills is an added attraction here."