RAJGIR

Rajgir was the place where Lord Buddha spent twelve long years in meditation. Literal meaning of Rajgir is ‘house of the king.’ It was the capital city of Magadha Empire till the time of Lord Buddha. Only in later phase Ajatshatru established his capital at Pataliputra which was strategically located. Rajgir is located at the distance of around forty six kilometers from Bodh Gaya, another Buddhist pilgrimage.


Rajgir is equally important and relevant for Buddhists, Jainas and Hindus. Mahavira had spent some time at this spot before getting Kevalya. Mahavira, the twenty fourth tirthankar of Jain sect, had spent around fourteen long years meditating. It makes Rajgir a popular pilgrimage for Jainas too.


Rajgir was the venue for first Buddhist Council. The council was held at Saptparni caves. There was a famous monastery at Jivkamaravana and Lord Buddha often visited this monastery out of love and affection. The development and popularity of Buddhism among local population, particularly among trading class was immense and they helped Rajgir become the center of Buddhist activities. Famous surgeon and Buddhist follower Jivaka lived here and contributed towards the growth of Buddhism.


Rajgir has many tourist attractions including of Griddhakuta hill, the place which saw the conversion of Magadha king Bimbisara to Buddhism. Other places such as the Jail of Bimbisara, Gym of Jarasandha, Venuvana, Karand tank, Maniyar math, Swamabhandar cave, Pippala cave, newly constructed Viswa Shanti Stupa are some major tourist attractions at Rajgir. Rajgir houses some twenty six temples of Jain sect in its hill area and one need to be good in trekking to reach to them.


Rajgir is part of Buddhist Tourist Circuit and is linked with other Buddhist pilgrim destinations which are relevant for Buddhists across the globe. Rajgir is just ten kilometers away from Nalanda, another Buddhist pilgrim destination of great relevance. King Bimbisar donated a monastery to Lord Buddha for his residence at Rajgir called Venuvana Vihar. Remnants of that construction can be seen even today.


Ghosrawan
Ghosrawan was once the epicenter of religious activities of Buddhism. Ghosrawan had a Buddhist monastery and the seat of higher learning.


Pippala Cave
Pippala cave, located in Rajir, is a popular Buddhist pilgrim destination. It was a center of religious activities during Lord Buddha’s time. The cave is the outcome of natural process of natural forces overtime.


Jethian
Lord Buddha had become so popular during his lifetime that many rulers of his time were greatly influenced by his teachings and knowledge. One such ruler was Bimbisar, the king of Magadha.


Pawapuri
Pawapuri is located at a distance of 38 kilometers away from Rajgir. While Rajgir and Nalanda are major Buddhist pilgrim destinations, Pawapuri is a holy place for Jains.


Indasala Cave
Located in Rajgir district of Bihar Indasala cave is a major tourist attraction and a Buddhist pilgrim destination. The cave is considered sacred for the reason that Lord Buddha delivered one of his most intellectually stimulating discourses here.

Rajgir Tourist Attractions
The ancient capital of Magadha, Rajgir is an important Buddhist and Jain pilgrim destination. Rajgir was the hotpot of political and religious activities in ancient India,

Jarashand ka Akhara 
This is the Ranbhumi where Bhima and Jarasandh fought one of the Mahabharat battles.
Jivakameavan Gardens 
Seat of the Royal Physician's dispensary where Lord Buddha was once brought to have wound dressed by Jivaka, the royal physician during the reign of Ajatshatru and Bimbisara.

Ajatshatru Fort
Built by Ajatshatru (6th century B.C.), the king of Magadha during the Buddha's time. The 6.5 sq.meter Ajatshatru's Stupa is also believed to have been built by him. 
 Cyclopean Wall 
Once 40 Km long, it encircled ancient Rajgir. Built of massive undressed stone carefully fitted together, the wall is one of the few important Pre-Maurayan stone structures ever to have been found. Traces of wall still subsist, particularly at the exit of Rajgir to Gaya.


Vishwa Shanti Stupa
Vishwa Shanti Stupa is a major tourist attraction at Rajgir. Rajgir is a popular pilgrim destination for Buddhists.The Vishwa Shanti Stup is located on a 400 meter high hill. The stupa is built in marble and on the four corners of the stupa are four glimmering statues of Buddha. To reach the top of this hill one has to come through the “Ropeways”. This place is also called the GriddhKoot. 


Venu Vana 

Site of the monastery Venuvana Vihar built by king Bimbisara for Lord Buddha to reside. This was the king's first offering to Lord Buddha


Karanda Tank: 

It is the tank in which Buddha used to bathe.

Sonbhandar Caves: 

Two rather strange cave chambers were hollowed out of a single massive rock. One of the chambers I believed to have been the guard room, the rear wall has two straight vertical lines and one horizontal line cut into the rock; the doorway is supposed to lead to king Bimbisara Treasury. Inscriptions in the Sankhlipi or shell script, etched into wall and so far undeciphered, are believed to give the clue to open the doorway. The treasure, according to folklore, is still intact. The second chambers bears a few traces of seated and standing etched into the outer wall.

Bimbisar jail:

his impatient saon and heir, Ajatashatru, imprisoned King Bimbisara here. The captive king chose this site for his incarceration, for, from this spot he could see Lord Buddha climbing up to his mountain retreat atop the Griddhakuta hill. There is a clear view of the Japanese Pagoda. The stupa of peace was built on the top of the hill.

Veerayatan: A Jain Temple and Museum

Jain Temple: 

On hill crests around Rajgir, far in the distances one can see about 26 Jain Temples. They are difficult to approach for the untrained, but make exciting trekking for those in form.
Chariot Route Marks:  

The Chariot Route and hell inscriptions are worth a visit for the strangeness of the phenomenon, two parallel furrows cut deep into rock for about thirty feet giving credence to the local belief 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, the undeciphered characters current in central and eastern India from the 1st to 5th centuries AD, and engraved in the rock around the chariot marks.

Hot Springs:  

At the foot of Vaibhava Hill, a staircase leads up to the various temples. Separate bathing places have been organized for men and women and the water comes through spouts from Saptdhara, the seven streams, believed to find their source behind the "Saptarni Caves", up in the hills. The hottest of the springs is the Brahmakund with a temperature of 45 degree Centigrade.

Pippala cave: 

Above the hot springs on the Vaibhava Hill, is a rectangular stone sculpted by the forces of nature which appears to have been used as a watch tower. Since it later became the resort of pious hermits, it is also called Pippala Cave and popularly known as "Jarasandh ki Baithak" after the name of the King Jarasandh, a contemporary of Lord Krishna described in the epic Mahabharata

Swarn Bhandar: 

It is to be said that that it was a store of Gold of King Jarashandh. A unread story about the cave is that there is a lot of gold in this cave and a script is written on a stone is the code to unlock the door of this Swarn Bhandar.

Gridhakuta:

This was the place where the lord Buddha set in a motion his second wheel of law an for three months even during the rainy season, preached many inspiring sermons to his disciples. The Buddha Sangha of Japan have constructed a massive modern stupa, the Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), at the top of the hill in commemoration. A bridle path leads to up to the hill but it is much more fun to take the Aerial Chair lift which operates every day except Thursday. One way ride takes 7.5 minutes and the view is splendid over the hills of Rajgir.


How to reach Rajgir
Air: 
The nearest airport is at Patna 101 kms. Indian Airlines connect Patna to Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Ranchi and Lucknow.

Rail: 
Though Rajgir itself has a railway station yet the nearest convenient railhead is at Gaya 78 kms.

Road: 
Rajgir is connected by road to Patna - 110 kms, Nalanda - 12 kms, Gaya - 78 kms, Pawapuri - 38 kms, Bihar Sharif - 25 kms etc. Bus : Regular buses are available from all the above said points to Rajgir.

Local Transport:  
Taxis and Buses and Tongas are available.
Distance Chart