Golghar Patna: History, Architecture, and Travel Guide (2026)
The Golghar or Golghar, (“Round House”) is a large granary located to the west of the Gandhi Maidan in Patna, capital city of Bihar state, India. Golghar, which means “round house,” is a famous granary that was built by the British in 1786 to store grain during a famine.
Learn everything about Patna’s iconic Golghar—from its history to timings and ticket prices. Read about my personal travel experience.
 Golghar has always been an attraction for both tourists and locals. I recently had the opportunity to visit it, and honestly, its architecture and the story behind it completely captivated me.
Golghar, the pride of Patna, Bihar, and a witness to its history, remains a great place for tourists today. If you are planning a trip to Patna, Golghar should be at the top of your list.
History of Golghar Patna
The story of Golghar’s construction is linked to a dark chapter in Bihar’s history. In 1770, a devastating famine (The Great Bengal Famine) struck Bengal and Bihar, claiming the lives of approximately ten million people. This tragedy shook the British East India Company to its core.
The horrors of the famine and Warren Hastings’ plan
The then Governor-General, Warren Hastings, decided to build a massive granary to cope with future famines and to secure grain for the British army. This task was entrusted to Captain John Garstin, a young engineer in the British army.
Construction
The construction of Golghar began on January 20, 1784, and was completed on July 20, 1786. It was built using the most advanced engineering techniques of the time to ensure the long-term preservation of grain.
Architecture and Engineering: A marvel without columns.
The most striking feature of Golghar is its pillarless architecture.
Dome Structure
This structure is completely hollow inside. It does not have a single pillar, which was a great feat of engineering for its time. Its shape resembles an inverted bowl, which provides it with strength.
Stairs and View
Two spiral staircases (a total of 145 steps) are built around the Golghar. These stairs were constructed so that porters could carry sacks of grain up and pour the grain through the opening at the top.
Interesting Fact
The panoramic view of Patna city and the holy Ganges River from the top of Golghar is a major attraction for tourists. However, there may be some restrictions on climbing to the top currently due to safety reasons.
Acoustics
The design of the Golghar’s walls is such that even a slight sound inside echoes multiple times (echo effect). This is a unique example of architecture.
A Historical blunder associated with Golghar
Despite such brilliant engineering, the Golghar had one major technical flaw. Its doors opened inwards.
From a scientific and practical standpoint, when the granary was completely filled with grain, the pressure of the grain would make it impossible to open the doors from the inside. This is why the Golghar could never be filled to its full capacity (140,000 tons). It remains one of those interesting historical blunders that is still a topic of discussion today.
Tourism and its modern significance
Today, Golghar is not just a historical monument, but also a major tourist attraction in Patna. The Bihar government and the tourism department have taken several steps for its preservation.
- Light and Sound Show: A spectacular light and sound show is organized here in the evenings, narrating the glorious history of Bihar and the story of Golghar’s construction.
- Parks and Greenery: Beautiful gardens have been developed around Golghar, which serve as a picnic spot for the locals.
- Laser Show: Tourists are attracted through a laser show using modern technology.
Major Attractions around Golghar
If you are visiting Golghar, you can also visit these nearby places:
- Bihar Museum: A world-class museum for understanding the art and culture of Bihar.
- Buddha Smriti Park: A beautiful place for peace and meditation.
- Gandhi Maidan: Witness to historical rallies and events.
- Ganges Cruise: Enjoy a ride on the waves of the Ganges River.
How to get to Golghar?
- By Air: Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport is connected to major cities across the country. Golghar is approximately 6-7 km from the airport.
- By Rail: Patna Junction is the nearest railway station (approximately 3 km away). From there, you can take an auto-rickshaw or a taxi.
- By Road: Patna city is well-connected to the road network of Bihar and neighboring states.
Do you know?
Renowned historians and travelers often compare Golghar to the great stupas. Its simplicity is its true beauty.
Conclusion
