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Rajgir,
which means 'house of the king', was the ancient capital city
of the Magadha kings until the 5th century BC when Ajatsatru
moved the capital to Pataliputra. Forty-six km from Bodhgaya,
the town is sacred to the memory of the founders of both
Buddhism and Jainism and houses historical remains like the
cyclopean wall and marks engraved in rocks.
Rajgir is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site since the
Buddha spent 12 years here, and the first Buddhist council
after the Buddha was hosted here at the Saptaparni caves. Lord
Buddha often went into retreat at the Jivkamaravana monastery
in a beautiful orchard. One of his most devoted and prosperous
devotees, surgeon Jivaka also lived here. The rich merchant
community here soon became the Buddha's followers and built
many structures of typical Buddhist architecture.
Lord Buddha converted the Mauryan king Bimbisara, one of his
most celebrated followers, to Buddhism at the Griddhakuta
hill, where he delivered many of his sermons as well. The
Japanese have built a Stupa on top of the Ratnagiri hill,
linked by a rope way. It was here that the teachings of Buddha
were penned down for the first time. Rajgir is also an
important place of pilgrimage for the Hindus and Jains. Other
places to be visited are Bimbisara ka jail, Jarasandha ka
akhara, Venuvana, Karand tank, Maniyar math, Swamabhandar
cave, Pippala cave, Viswa Shanti Stupa, the famous hot water
springs and ruins of an old fort.
Location and History
The Buddha lived in the sixth century BC Mahavir was born in
567 BC and the traveller in Bihar will encounter them both
constantly. Rajgir is 10 kms. south of Nalanda and sacred to
the memory of the founder of both Buddhism and Jainism Lord
Buddha spent many months of retreat during the rainy season
here, and use to meditate and preach on Groddhkuta, the "Hill
of the Vultures". Lord Mahavir spent 14 years of his life at
Rajgir and Nalanda.
It was in Rajgrih that Lord Buddha delivered some of his
famous sermons and converted king Bimbisara of the Magadh
Kingdom and countless others to his creed. Once a great city,
Rajgir is just a village today, but vestives of a legendary
and historical past remain, like the cyclopean wall that
encircles the town and the marks engraved in rock that local
folklore ascribes to Lord Krishna's chariot. This legend, like
many others, associates Rajgir to that distant time when the
stirring events recorded in the epic Mahabharat were being
inacted.
Pilgrimage Attractions of Rajgir
Griddhakuta or Vulture's Peak
This was the place where the Lord Buddha set in motion his
second wheel of law and for three months every year 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 up to
the hill but it is much more fun to take the Aerial Chairlift
which operates every day except Thursday. One way ride takes
7.5 minutes and the view is splendid over the hills of Rajgir.
Jain Temples
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.
Hot Springs
At the foot of the Vaibhava Hill. A staircase leads up to the
various temples. Separate bathing places have been organised
for men and women and the water comes through spouts from
Saptadhara, the seven streams, believed to find their source
behind the "Saptaparni Caves", up in the hills. The hottest of
the springs is the Brahmakund with a temperature od 45 degree
Celsius.
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 become the resort
of pious hermits, it is also called Pippala Cave and popularly
known as "Jarasandha ki Baithak" after the name of the King
Jarasandha, a contemporary of Lord Krishna described in the
epic Mahabharat.
Venuvana
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.
Other Places of Attractions
Other archaeological sites including the Karnada Tank where
Lord Buddha used to bathe, the maniyar Math that dates from
the 1st century AD, the Maraka Kushi where the still unborn
Ajatshatru was cursed as a patricide, the Rannbhumi where
Bhima and Jarasandha fought one of the Mahabharat battles.
The Chariot Route and shell inscriptions are worth a visit for
the strangeness of the phenomenon, two parallel furrows cut
deep into the 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 Mahabharat times. Several shell
inscriptions, undeciphered characters current in central and
eastern India from the 1st to the 5th centuries AD, are
engraved in the rock around the chariot marks. Virayatan -a
Jain temple and Museum.
Excursions
Swarajpur - Baragaon
18 kms.the lake with its temple of Surya, the Sun God, is a
pilgrim destination twice a year in "Vaisakha" (April-May) and
in "Kartika" (October-November) during the Chhath Puja or Sun
Worship.
Kundalpur
The Digamber sector of the Jains believe that Lord Mahavir was
born at Kundalpur, 18 kms. from Rajgir. A Jain temple and two
lotus lakes -the Dirga Pushkarni and Pandava Pushkarni mark
the spot.
Pawapuri
35 kms. A sinless city, It is a great pilgrimage centre of the
Jains. Mahavira Teerthankara, the greatest profounder of
Jainism had delivered his last sermon here, took
Mahaprinirvana here and was cremated here. Jalamandir and
Samosharan are two beautiful temples.
Bihar Sharif
25 kms. away, this little town on the top of a craggy rock,
attracts thousands of pilgrims of all religions who visit the
tomb of Makhdum Shah Sharif-ud-din, a Muslin saint of 14th
century. Bihar Sharif was once the capital of Muslim Governors
of Bihar between the 13th and 16th centuries when the city was
an active cultural centre and an important seat of Muslim
thought and learning.
Nalanda
10 kms. where ruins of the great ancient University have been
excavated. The University of Nalanda was founded in 5th
century AD, this great seat of learning flourished until 12th
century. Once 2000 teachers and 10,000 students crowded its
portals. King after king built monasteries and temples here.
Other Attractions of Rajgir
Malamasa Mela
Rajgir celebrates the Malamasa Mela when a fair is held here
every three years. The Indian calendar every three years has a
13th month which is considered auspicious.
Makar Sankranti
Another festival specific to Rajgir is the Makar Sankranti
Mela, held on the last of the lunar calendar month "Paus",
around middle of January. Devotees make flower offering to the
deities of the temples at the Hot Springs and bathe in the
holy water. "
How to Reach There
Air The nearest airport is Patna (107km)
Rail The nearest railhead on Delhi-Howrah main line is
Bhaktiyarpur, 54 kms., though the loop line connects Rajgir.
Road Rajgir is connected by road to Patna, Gaya
and Delhi/Calcutta |
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