RAJGIR

ABOUT RAJGIR:

• The capital of the Magadh Mahajanpad (State) before the foundation of Patliputra is named after Raj Griha, literally meaning the “Royal Palace”.
• Town sprawls in a valley amidst scenic surroundings and is one of the most important tourist and Buddhist pilgrim centres in India.
• Lord Buddha is said to have spent several years hare.
• During his stay, delivered sermons and proselytized Mauryan emperor Bimbisar, at the Griddhakoota hill.
• Rajgir is reverently mentioned in great epics – Ramayana and Mahabharta.
• It is also a sacred site for the Jains and Hindus.
• Lord Mahavira, the 24^th Jain tirthankara and founder of Jainism, meditated and delivered his first sermon here.
• The hills around Rajgir are dotted with beautiful Jain shrines.
• Town is also an excellent health and winter resort.
• Hot water ponds here possess curative properties, which help in the cure of many skin diseases.

MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

• Airport: Gaya Airport, Gaya (GAY), 34 kms away from Rajgir town. Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport, Patna (PAT), 101 kms away from Rajgir town.
• Rail: Gaya Railway Station, Gaya, 78 kms away from Rajgir town.
• Road: Well connected by road.

ATTRACTIONS OF RAJGIR

• Amaravana/ Jivekarmavan Gardens:
  • It was the seat of the royal physician Jivaka, who is said to have treated the wound of Lord Buddha here.

• Ajatasatru’s Fort:
  • It was built during 6^th century B.C. by Ajatasatru, the king of Magadha.
  • The 6.5 sq. metre stupa is also believed to have been built by him.

• Bimbisara Jail:
  • King Bimbisara was imprisoned here by his son Ajatashatru.
  • Bimbisara is said to have chosen the site for his incarceration, as from here he could see Lord Buddha climbing atop the Griddhakuta hill to do his meditation.

• Chariot Route Marks:
  • Strange marks cut deep into rock are believed to be of Lord Krishna’s chariot, when he visited Rajgir during the epic Mahabharata period.

• Cyclopean Wall:
  • Relics of the wall, which once encircled the town, can be seen at the exit of Rajgir to Gaya.
  • It is one of the few remnants of pre-Mauryan structures.

• Griddhakuta Hill & Shanti Stupa:
  • Lord Buddha set in motion his second wheel of low at Griddhakuta Hill.
  • He delivered many sermons from here and his teachings were first recorded in writing at this sacred site.
  • The Buddha Sangha of Japan built a huge Shanti Stupa (Pease Pagoda) atop the hill to commemorate the event.
  • The stupa can also be reached by an aerial ropeway.

• Hot Sulphur Springs (Saptdhara):
  • It lies at the base of the Vaibhava hills and has separate bathing places for men and women.
  • Water is said to have curative powers.
  • Above the springs is Pippala Cave, also known as “Jarasandh Ki Baithak”.

• Saptaparni Cave:
  • First Buddhist Council was convened hare after the Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha.

ATTRACTIONS AROUND RAJGIR

• Kundalpur:
  • 18 kms away from Rajgir town.
  • Digambar Jains believe that it is the birth place of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism.
  • A Jain temple and two lotus lakes mark the sacred site.

• Pawapuri:
  • 35 kms away from Rajgir town.
  • Known an Apapuri (a sinless city) is one of the most important Jain pilgrim centres.
  • Lord Mahavira delivered his last sermon and breathed his last over here around 500 B.C.
  • His cremation site is marked by beautiful Jalamandir temple, built in white marble.
  • It is said that devotees not only took away the ashes of the Lord, but also removed a large amount of soil around the funeral pyre, which created the water tank.
  • Samosharan is another splendid shrine at Pawapuri.

• Swarajpur-Baragaon:
  • 18 kms away from Rajgir town.
  • Lake with its temple of Sun God comes to life, twice a year in “Vaisakha” (April-May) and “Kartika” (October-November) during the Chhath Puja or Sun Worship.