Rajgir - A Beautiful City of Bihar
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Shanti Stupa |
The city is divided into two
parts, the old fort city which is surrounded by seven hills (Chhath, Ratna,
Saila, Sona, Udaya, Vaibhaar and Vipula) and is the new city founded by
Ajatshatru, son of Bimbisara. Contemporary with Lord Buddha. Rajgir is an
ancient city in the northeastern state of India, Bihar. Surrounded by hills, it
is known for its sacred sites. The remains of the Cyclopian wall, which
surrounded the city centuries ago, still stand in the center. Nearby, Veenu
Vana Park was once home to a monastery built for the Buddha. The shield-shaped
Japanese temple has a huge Buddha statue.
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Venu van Rajgir |
There are hot springs nearby which
are believed to have medicinal properties. Rajgir, meaning residence of kings,
is mentioned in the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata as the capital of Magadha,
ruled by the powerful king Jarasandha. Although the exact time of origin of
this city has not been established, it has been estimated by scholars that it
must be around 3,000 years old.
Rajgir has a deep connection to Hinduism, Buddhism and
Jainism and has hosted Lord Buddha and Mahavira, thus having many
archaeological sites related to Buddhism and Jainism.
Built in 1965, this blazing-white, 40-meter stupa erected
Ratnagiri Hill at a distance of 1000 feet, about 5 km south of the city. The
stupas have golden statues of Buddha in the four stages of their lives - birth,
wisdom, preaching and death. The World Peace Stupa Rajgir was built by the
Government of Japan and the Buddhist Community of Japan in 1969 with the
assistance of the Government of India. It is one of 80 such stupas around the
world dedicated to Buddhism. These are often called peace pagodas because they
have been created by Japan as a symbol of nonviolence after being the victim of
the atomic bomb in World War II.
The Most famous places in
Rajgir are:
Rajgir, though small region-wise, is an important pilgrimage
center for the three great religions of India, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
The town has pilgrimage sites for each of these religions.
On the Vaibhav hill are the Saptakarni caves where the first
Buddhist council was held. Saptakarni Cave is also the source of Rajgir's hot
sulfur springs, which have virtuous properties and are feared by Hindus.
From the foot of Vaibhav Hill a staircase leads to various
temples. Separate bathing places have been organized for men and women and
through the Saptadhara, water flows out of the spout or seven streams are
believed to be found in the hills behind the Saptakarni caves. The warmest
Brahmakund of the springs is with a temperature of 45 ° C.
At the peak of the Gridhakuta or vultures, the Buddha
prescribed the method of his second wheel and preached about it to his
disciples for three months in the rainy season each year. The Buddha Sangha of
Japan has built a huge modern stupa, Shanti (Shanti) Stupa at the top of the
hill. One can climb up to the top along the route but the sandal is more
exciting.
Ajatashatru Fort, built in the sixth century BC, is located
about six km from Rajgir railway station. It was a fort. Bimbisara's prison is
also located here where, according to legends, he was imprisoned by Ajatshatru.
Above the hot springs on the Vaibhav Hill is a rectangular
stone carved by the forces of nature, which appears to have been used as a Watchtower.
It later became the resort of sermons and is known as Jarasandha after the name
of King Jarasandha, a contemporary of Lord Krishna mentioned in the epic
Mahabharata.
Swarna Gufa is about six km from the railway station. It is
believed that the treasure of gold is still hidden here. It is said that if one
can remove the inscription inscribed here, then the gates of the golden urns
will open.
It is located about 80 km southeast of the capital Patna in
the Indian state of Bihar. Rajgir is famous for rock-cut caves, forts, Buddhist
ruins, rock inscriptions, Hindu and Jain temples and Muslim tombs. The place is
well connected to Bihar and other parts of eastern India via railways and
roads.
The ropeway can be used to reach the World Peace Stupa. A
ride on the ropeway gives amazing views of the city and the Shanti Stupa.
Ropeways can carry only one person at a time. Hot springs, known for their medicinal
values and religious value, are popular among pilgrims and tourists. The city
is surrounded by hills with many trekking opportunities available. There are
some temples that you can see like Maniyar Math which is dedicated to the local
deity Mani Nag. The city has some other scenic spots including Bimbisara's jail
which Ajatshatru built to imprison his father.
Rajgir, though small region-wise, is an important pilgrimage
center for the three great religions of India, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The
town has pilgrimage sites for each of these religions.
On the Vaibhav hill are the Saptakarni caves where the first
Buddhist council was held. Saptakarni Cave is also the source of Rajgir's hot
sulfur springs, which have virtuous properties and are feared by Hindus.
From the foot of Vaibhav Hill a staircase leads to various
temples. Separate bathing places have been organized for men and women and
through the Saptadhara, water flows out of the spout or seven streams are
believed to be found in the hills behind the Saptakarni caves. The warmest
Brahmakund of the springs is with a temperature of 45 ° C.
At the peak of the Gridhakuta or vultures, the Buddha
prescribed the method of his second wheel and preached about it to his
disciples for three months in the rainy season each year. The Buddha Sangha of
Japan has built a huge modern stupa, Shanti (Shanti) Stupa at the top of the
hill. One can climb up to the top along the route but the sandal is more
exciting.
Ajatashatru Fort, built in the sixth century BC, is located
about six km from Rajgir railway station. It was a fort. Bimbisara's prison is
also located here where, according to legends, he was imprisoned by Ajatshatru.
Above the hot springs on the Vaibhav Hill is a rectangular
stone carved by the forces of nature, which appears to have been used as a
Watchtower. It later became the resort of sermons and is known as Jarasandha
after the name of King Jarasandha, a contemporary of Lord Krishna mentioned in
the epic Mahabharata.
Swarna Gufa is about six km from the railway station. It is
believed that the treasure of gold is still hidden here. It is said that if one
can remove the inscription inscribed here, then the gates of the golden urns
will open.
Places Around Rajgir:
Bodh Gaya, the place where Buddha attained enlightenment, is
about 34 km from Rajgir and is connected by a good network of roads. The major
tourist attractions here are the Maha Bodhi Temple, where, under a peepal tree,
Buddha finds his wisdom and the monasteries built by various Buddhist
countries.
Twelve kilometers from Rajgir is Nalanda, which was a resort
for saints and ascetics. It was built in a university in the fifth century AD
and remained the largest seat of learning for over 700 years.
Pavpuri is located about 35 km from Rajgir and Lord Mahavir
is believed to have died.
Patna is located 60 km northeast of Rajgir, the capital of
Bihar and a great historical city.
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