| Rajgir |
| Population 33,691 (in 2001) Altitude 73 m Area Languages |
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| Rajgir, which means 'house of the king', was the ancient capital of the kingdom of Magadha, a state that would eventually evolve into the Mauryan Empire. Its date of origin is unknown, although ceramics dating from about 1000 BC have been found in the city. The city was mentioned in the epic Mahabharata where it is called Girivraja. It is also mentioned in Buddhist and Jain scriptures, which give a series of place-names, but without geographical context. The attempt to locate these places is based largely on reference to them and to other locations in the works of two Chinese Buddhist pilgrims, Faxian and Xuanzang. It is on the basis of Xuanzang in particular that the site is divided into Old and New Rajgir. The former lies within a valley and is surrounded by five low-lying hills. The Old city is marked by an earthen embankment known as the Inner Fortification. This is associated with the Outer Fortification, a complex of cyclopean walls that runs (with large breaks) along the crest of the hills. New Rajgir is defined by another larger embankment outside the northern entrance of the valley and next to the modern town. Rajgir is sacred to the memory of the founders of both Buddhism and Jainism. It was here that Gautama Buddha spent several months meditating and preaching at Griddhkuta ('Hill of the Vultures'). He also delivered some of his famous sermons and converted King Bimbisara of Magadha and countless others to his religion. Sights Gridhakuta (Vulture's Peak) The hill is listed in Buddhist canonical texts as one of the places stayed in by the Buddha when at Rajgir. Several notable events, including an attempt on his life by his evil cousin Devadatta occurred there. The Mahayana tradition goes further. A number of its major texts, most famously the Lotus Sutra, were supposedly delivered as sermons there. As such, it has been a major destination for pilgrims in both ancient and modern times. The hill is crowned by the Japanese-built Shanti Stupa and has a chairlift to the top. Venuvana Bimbisara gave a bamboo grove (Venuvana) to Lord Buddha so that he and his monks could take rest here and give discourses to people. It was the first Buddhist monastery ever. Jivakarama Jivaka, the greatest physician of Buddha's time, was from Rajgir. He donated a monastery to Buddha, called the Jivakarama. Lakshmi Narayan Mandir The pink-hued Hindu temple called the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir has within its grounds the ancient hot springs. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort, the Goddess Lakshmi. At the time of Gautama Buddha a Buddhist monastery called the Tapodarama Monastery was located at the site. Rajgir has developed as something of a health resort due to its warm water ponds. The baths are said to contain some medicinal properties that help in the cure of many skin diseases. The springs are sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Saptaparni Cave On one of the hills is the cave of Saptparni where the First Buddhist Council was held under the leadership of Maha Kassapa. The Saptparni cave is also the source of the Rajgir Hot Water Springs |
| Jarasandha Ka Akhara The great albeit evil warrior whose relentless attacks on Mathura prompted Lord Krishna to migrate the populace of Mathura to Dwarika, used to practice martial arts here every day. Ancient Chariot tracks The Chariot Route and shell inscriptions are worth a visit for the strangeness of the phenomenon. The chariot tracks consist of two parallel furrows cut deep into the rock for about thirty feet, possibly by the large quantity of chariots that came to deliver goods to Rajgir. The local belief is that they were "burnt" into the rock by the speed and power of Lord Krishna's chariot when he entered the city of Rajgir during the epic Mahabharata times. Several shell inscriptions are engraved in the rock around the chariot marks. These un-deciphered characters are current in central and eastern India from the 1st to the 5th Centuries AD. Bimbisara's Jail In the middle of the valley is the ruin of a circular structure with turrets at each corner. Its military appearance led to its present label after being discovered in 1914. It could also be (because of its shape and the turrets) a Buddhist monastery of the first millennium AD. Rajgir is connected to Patna via Bakhtiarpur by rail and road. Bakhtiarpur lies midway between Patna and Mokameh. One has to take NH 30A to Bakhtiarpur and NH 31 towards south to reach Bihar Sharif. From Mokameh, one can directly take NH 31 to Bihar Sharif. From there, NH 82 will lead you to Rajgir. Rajgir is around 100 KM from both Patna and Mokameh. It is located in a verdant valley surrounded by rocky hills. Indian Railways run trains directly from Rajgir to Kolkata and New Delhi. |