| Introduction |
| Introduction | Places of Interest | How to Reach |
|
Rajgir,Rajagrihain Sanskritand Rajagaha in Pali,was the capitalof the powerful kingdom
of Magadh. According to the Ramayana, it was founded by KingVasuand was called
Vasumatiafter his name. |
| The name Rajagriha
was applied during
Buddha's time as there
were many palaces
around.As the powerful
kingdom of Magadh, it
became famous for its
I wealth and grandeur.
During Mahabharata,Rajagrihawas known as
Girivraj, the capital of
Jarasandhakingdom, as
it was surrounded by
five clusterof hills. |
| Buddhist scholar
Buddhaghosha has
mentioned that the city
had 32 main gates and
64 minor gates.Its pop-
ularitydeclined oncethe
city of Pataliputra was
madethe new capital of
Magadh. |
| Rajagriha is sacred to
the Hindus, Buddhists,
Jainsand Muslims. Lord
Mahavir spent 14 rainy
seasons in Rajgir and
Nalanda between 527-497 BC.He gavehis first
sermon on Vipula Hill. Eachhill of Rajgiris associatedwith variousTirthankars. Therefore, there
are Jaintemples on all the hills of Rajagriha |
| There is a natural "kund" or pond on Vipula Hill, which is known as Makhdum Kund,
named as it is after Muslim saint Makhdum Saheb,who spent 12 years in the jungles of
Rajagrihain 13th century AD. |
|
Rajagrihawas the favourite place of Lord Buddha, and became an important centre of
Buddhismduring the reign of KingBimbisara(543-491 BC) and Ajatashatru(491-459 AD).Lord
Buddha delivered many important sermons here. His favourite places in Rajagrihawere
GriddhakutaHill and VenuVana.Thesetwo sitesare mandatoryon the itineraryof the Baudh
tourist pilgrims from abroad. |
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