| Places of Interest |
| Introduction | Places of Interest | How to Reach |
| WHAT TO LOOK FOR |
| Vishwa Shanti Stupa |
The Vishwa Shanti Stupa is a monument to the birth of a nation, the Republic of India.
India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had in 1956, during the 2500th Buddha Nirvana
Year, called Buddhists from all over the world. He climbed the Griddhakuta Hill.Saddened by
the neglected state of the holy site, he requested Japanese saint FujiGuruji to build a stupa in
true Buddhist tradition as a mark of respect to the holy seat of learning. The facing peak of
Ratnagiri was chosen as the stupa site. Renowned artist Upendra Maharathi designed its architecture. The foundation stone of the 160-ft-tall stupa was laid by president S Radha krishnan in
1965 and it was inaugurated by president VV Giri in 1969.
The stupa can be reached by a 2200-ft-longropeway,whichwas presented to the Bihar
government by Fuji Guruji. |
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| Contact Person |
G Okonogi
Nipponzan Myohoji (Japanese Temple)
Vishwa Shanti Stupa,
Rajgir (Nalanda)
E-mail: gokonogi@hotmail.com |
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| Hot Springs |
Rajgir is dotted with hot springs, which were earlier spread all over. But now few are flowing. The most-visited hot spring is in the eastern slope of Vaibhava Hill. It is said earlier there
was a Tapoda rivulet of hot water, in which Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavir took bath.
The hot springs are a major tourist attraction. The hot water is supposed to come from the
'Saptaparni Caves', situated on top of the hill.Brahma Kunda is the hottest spring with its water
temperature being 45 degree C. Separate bathing places for men and women have been constructed.
NOTE: Bathingin hot water isgood forhealth, particularly forthose who are having joint pains.
Entry is free. Washing clothes here is not allowed. |
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| Griddhakuta or Vultures Peak |
Griddhakuta or the Vultures Peak was the favourite retreat of Lord Buddha. The peak got
its name either because it has a vulture-like shape or it was frequented by vultures. Dhaniya, a potter's son, is said to have made a beautiful hut at the foot of the hill for Lord Buddha.
Buddha lived in a cave there for several years and preached the famous
Saddharmapundarika sutra from the platform built by King Bimbisara on Griddhakuta. In
Xuanzang's travelogue, it is mentioned that Bimbisara had built a road from the foothills of
Griddhakuta halfway up to the hill and a staircase leading up to the peak. He would visit
Buddha every day. There are remains of some brick stupas also. Inside the cave there are several Buddha statues.
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| Ashoka Stupa Peak |
There exist the remains of a brick stupa on a hill,which many Buddhists believe was built
by King Ashoka as a mark of honour to Griddhakuta.
Jivaka's Mango Garden
Jivaka, the royal physician during the times of Ajatshatru and Bimbisara, used to practise
here. It is said once Lord Buddha was also brought here for treatment of a wound.
Swarna Bhandar
These are twin rock-cut caves, supposed to be the doorway to the treasury of King
Bimbisara. One of the caves is said to be the guard room while the other is supposed to be the
passage to king Bimbisara's treasury. The treasure, according to folklore, is still intact.
The Cyclopean Wall
The 40-km-long wall encircles ancient Rajgir. Built with massive pieces of stones, it was
constructed before the Mauryan rule.
Jain Temples
There are more than 25 Jain temples around Rajgir.Situated on the hills, they are visited
by those who love trekking.
Jarasandha's 'Baithak'
The large rectangular structure looking like a huge platform is situated on the Vaibhava Hill
and is popularly known as King Jarasandha's Baithak or the drawing room. The Buddhist traditions refer to it as Pippala cave, a site where Buddha used to meditate. Xuanzang has also mentioned this in his travelogue. It is also believed that Lord Buddha's chief disciple MahaKashyapa
lived here.
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Saptaparni Cave
It is situated on the Vaibhava Hill.The First Buddhist Council was held here six months
after the 'Mahaparinirvana' of Buddha. It was attended by 500 monks and headed by Buddha's
chief disciple Maha Kashyapa. King Ajatashatru, the ruler of Magadh, had constructed a Sabha
Mandap in front of the cave for the assembly.
Sonabhandara
In the southern scarp of Vaibhava Hill, there are two caves. They were originally double
storied, on the walls of which are engraved the statues of Jain Tirthankars. In the western cave
are found black stone statues of first four Tirthankars and statues of Buddha. Thiswestern cave
is locally called Sonabhandara, the literal meaning of which is treasury of gold. It is believed
that beyond the inner wall of the cave lay the treasury of gold.
Ranbhoomi or Jarasandha's Akhara
It was at this place that Jarasandha fought with Bhima for 28 days and eventually got
killed. The raised brick platform is called Akhara.
Maniyar Math
In the middle of the valley near the main road is a beautiful structure in the shape of a stupa, sheltered under a conical corrugated iron shade. It is known as Maniyar Math, named after a small shrine which existed before the excavation of the site. It is a hollow stupa with
stucco Buddha ../photos on the outer walls. Statues of Snake Goddess were found here, which
is a pointer to the fact that originally there was a temple here, dedicated to snakes. The
Mahabharata refers to Rajgir as the abode of Mani Naga.
Bimbisara Jail
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In the southern side of Maniyar Math on the main road lie the remains of the stone walls
of the prison, where Magadhan King Bimbisara was imprisoned by his son, King Ajatashatru. It
is said the imprisoned king, from his prison cell, could see the Griddhakuta and could have a glimpse of lord Buddha, which gave him great solace. Unable to bear the torture inflicted by
his son, Bimbisara eventually died in this prison.
Jivaka Ambavana or Jivakarama Vihara
Jivaka was the royal physician of Magadh's powerful rulers, Bimbisara and Ajatashatru.
Buddhist texts narrate the tales of his surgical skills as well. He cured Bimbisara of many ailments. He was a devoted follower of Buddha and had donated his mango garden to him. A
monastery was constructed at the garden. The site of the ruins of this monastery lies on way
to the ropeway station, at the foothills of Griddhakuta. Buddhist records say that lord Buddha
had delivereda sermon here in the presence of King Ajatashatru, moved by which Ajatashatru
embraced Buddhism.
Mardakukshi
This lesser known site is situated in the jungles at the foothills of Griddhakuta Hill,a few
yards away from Jivakarama Vihara. In Buddha's time, it was said to be a monastery. Asthe folklore goes,Kosala Devi, the queen of Bimbisara, was carrying a childin herwomb about whom
it had been predicted that he would eventually kill his father. The distressed queen made a ailed attempt to abort the child at the present site of Mardakukshi. Some other Buddhist legends attribute the site to the place where an injured Buddha was treated by Jivaka, after
Devadatta had attempted to kill him.
Shankhalipi Inscriptions
Some two km away from Bimbisara jail are found the Shankhalipi Inscriptions engraved
on the rocky terrain. Nearby, embedded deep on the rocky ground, are two parallel lines run ning through some distance, which seemed to be the wheel mark of a chariot. It is believed
either it was the battle field where the battle between Jarasandha and Bhima had taken place
or it was the training ground of the chariot warriors of Ajatashatru.
Venu Vana Kalandakanivapa
Venu Vana means bamboo park. It was the garden house of King Bimbisara which he dedicated to Buddha after building a monastery here. There's a pond called Kalandakanivapa, the
meaning of which is the feeding ground of squirrels or jays.
New Venu Vana Vihara
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The New Venu Vana Vihara on the western side of the ancient Venu Vana was built by
Japanese saint Fuji Guruji as a mark of tribute to the first Buddhist monastery of the world, built
by King Bimbisara. Designed by renowned Buddhist architect Upendra Maharathi, the imposing vihara is among the finest examples of Mauryan architecture. It was inaugurated in 1981 by was an important site which finds mention in the accounts of Chinese travellers. Buchanan mentions finding Buddhist and Hindu sculptures here.
Ghora Katora Lake
The Ghora Katora (the bowl of horse) Lake is a picturesque site. It is believed to be the
place where Jarasandha's stable was situated.
Tapovana
This was the favourite abode of Buddha and is situated some 20 km away from Rajgir
on the old Gaya-Rajgir route. The beautiful range of hills running along the road is dotted with many hot springs and is one of the most picturesque sites of the region.
Yesthivana or Jethiana
Near Tapovanais another famous Buddhistsite, Jethiana,where King Bimbisarais
said to have met Buddha. The remains of a beautiful carved statue and a sixft tall
Buddha statue were found here, corroborating the fact that here too existeda vihara.
LOCAL TRADITION
Weavers of Basawanbigaha
A unique textile tradition is being practised by the weavers of Basawanbigaha in
Biharshariff. Weavers here produce hand-woven curtains, bed covers, tablecloths etc
with colourful Buddhist and Mauryan patterns and themes on them.
The Wheel of Dhamma, the symbol of Buddha's first sermon in Sarnath; the
Mahabodhi Temple of Bodh Gaya, the seat of Buddha's enlightenment; the Ashokan
Pillar at Vaishali - are some of the traditional designs, known as Maharathi Design,
being used by these weavers.
These fabrics are also exported to foreign countries such as Germany and America.
The weavers' cooperative is known as Basawanbigaha Primary Weavers Cooperative
Society Ltd, and is headed by master weaver Kapil Dev.
An initiative has been made by international designers to revive the hand loom sari
tradition, known as 'Baavanbuti', which was prevalent in the region till early 1940s
Contact Person in Basawanbigaha
Kapil Dev
Basawanbigaha Primary Weavers Cooperative Society Ltd
Basawanbigaha
Biharsharif (Nalanda)
Mobile: 9304008318
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