22.5 million tourists visited Bihar in 2012

A total 21.4 million of them were domestic tourists, while the remaining were foreigners, Pintu told reporters here.

The tourists' inflow in Bihar last year was higher by about 20 per cent in comparison to the 1.83 crore in 2011, he said adding the government was happy with the increased inflow of tourists in recent years.

However, the government would like to build infrastructures like roads, transportation, communication networks, hotels and related facilities to lure more tourists to Bihar in future.

The tourism minister also announced holding of a three-day Buddha Mahostava at Bodh Gaya from tomorrow to mark 2600 years of Lord Buddha's enlightenment.

Artists from several countries will perform at the festival which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi be the chief guest at the programme, he added.