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Vaishali was one of the Buddha's favourite resorts and he
visited it on several occasions It was here that he had his
famous encounter with the prostitute Ambapali, the incident is
recounted in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta in The Long Discourses.
Another discourse he delivered here is the long but
interesting Mahasihanada Sutta from The Middle Length
Discourses. According to the Mahayana tradition the famous
Vimalakirtinedesa Sutra was preached here too.
About a hundred years after the Buddha's Parinirvana the city
was the venue for the Second Council where hundreds of monks
from all over northern India met together to sell settle a
dispute about Vinaya rules and to chant the suttas together.
The main things to see today are the famous lion pillar, the
museum, the large Kharauna Lake, the Japanese temple and the
stupa built over the Vijjians' one eighth share of the
Buddha's ashes.
Location
Vaishali is situated in the eastern Indian state of Bihar,
around 55 km off Patna, the capital of the state. Vaishali
extends from latitude 25° in the North to longitude 85° in the
East. The town, an important place for both the Buddhists and
Jains, is well connected to other important cities in Bihar by
road.
History
Believed to be the first republic in the world, Vaishali has
taken its name from King Vishal of the Mahabharat age. He is
said to have constructed a great fort here, which is now in
ruins. Vaishali is a great Buddhist pilgrimage and also the
birthplace of Lord Mahavira. It is said that the Buddha
visited this place thrice and spent quite a long time here.
The Buddha also delivered his last sermon at Vaishali and
announced his Nirvana here. After his death, Vaishali also
held the second Buddhist Council.
The great Lichchavi clan ruled Vaishali in the sixth century
BC, and the empire extended up to the hills of Nepal. The
Lichchavi state is considered to be the first republican state
of Asia. According to the Jataka stories, (Buddhist story
books giving the account of different births of the Buddha),
Vaishali was ruled by some 7707 kings of the Lichchavi clan.
Ajatshatru, the great Magadh King, annexed Vaishali in the
fifth century BC and after that Vaishali gradually lost its
glory and power.
Pilgriamge Attractions of Vaishali
Ashoka Pillar
The Lion Pillar at Kolhua, was built by Emperor Ashoka. It is
made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone,
surmounted by a bell shaped capital, 18.3 m.high. A life-size
figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar. There is a
small tank here known as Ramkund.
Bawan Pokhar Temple
An old temple built in the Pala period stands on the
northern bank of a tank known as Bawan Pokhar and enshrines
beautiful images of several Hindu gods.
Buddha Stupa - 1
The exterior of this stupa which is now in a dilapidated
condition has a plain surface. One-eighth of the sacred ashes
of the Lord Buddha were enshrined here in a stone casket.
Buddha Stupa - II
Excavation at this site in 1958 led to the discovery of
another casket containing the ashes of the Lord Buddha.
Shanti Stupa
On the south bank of the Coronation Tank built by Buddh
Vihar Society.
Kundupur ( Birth Place of Lord Mahavira )
4 kms. It is believed that the Jain Tirthankar, Lord
Mahavira was born over 2550 years ago. Mahavir is said to have
spent the first 22 years of his life here.
Coronation Tank
Coronation Tank or Abhishekh Pushkarni, its water were
believed to be sacred in the old days and all of Vaishali's
elected representatives were anointed here before their
swearing in.
Other Places of Pilgrimage
Chaumukhi Mahadeva, Harikatora Temple, Lotus Tank and
Miranji-Ki-Dargah,Jain Temple etc.
Excursion
Patna 55 kms. Turning over the pages of early Indian
history one come across the name of the pre-eminent city of
Patliputra. Located at the site where Patna is today, this
city saw the rise and fall of India's first major Kingdoms.
Third Buddhist Council was held here.
Other Attractions
Vaishali Mahotsava : Vaishali Mahotsava is held to
celebrate the birth anniversary of the Jain Thirankar, Lord
Mahavir on the full moon day of the month of "Vaishakh"
(mid-April).
Arts and Crafts
Several villages around Vaishali make delightful home made
clay toys.
Sikki Work The humble blade of grass is hand-woven into
delightful baskets and mats. Lac Bangles. These hand made Lac
Bangles from nearby city Muzaffarpur.
How to reach there
Air The nearest Airport is Patna (56 kms.)
Rail Hazipur on the north eastern railway is the nearest
railway station 35 kms.
Road Vaishali is well connected by road to Patna (56 kms.),
Muzaffarpur (36 kms.) and Hazipur (35 kms.)
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