ABOUT VAISHALI:

• An important archaeological site on the left bank of the Gandak River is yet another major Buddhist and Jain pilgrim centre of Bihar.
• Town is said to be named after the legendary king Vishal, whose heroic deeds are mentioned in epic Ramayana.
• It is believed that Vaishali is the one of the first republics of the world, as democracy prevailed here as early as 6^th century B.C., during the time of the Vajjis and the Lichchavis.
• Lord Buddha is said to have preached his last sermon at Kolhua, located nearby.
• During the sermon he hinted at his impending departure from the mortal world.
• Emperor Ashoka erected a huge pillar at the site to commemorate the event.
• About hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha, the second great Buddhist council was held here to discuss the ten points of Vinaya, the rule of conduct under dispute.
• Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event.
• Jainism, too, has its origins in Vaishali, as Lord Mahavir was born on the outskirts of the city in 527 B.C. and lived in Vaishali till he was 22.
• Vaishali is also famous for Amrapali, the beautiful dancer and courtesan.
• Lord Buddha is said to have accepted the invitation of Amrapali and went to her residence with has Bhikku Sangha to take their meals.
• Amrapali offered Buddha a mango orchard and became a Bhiksu (nun), under the influence of Buddha.

 

MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

• Airport: Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport, Patna (PAT), 70 kms away from Vaishali town.
• Rail: Hajipur Railway Station, Hajipur, 35 kms away from Vaishali town. Muzaffarpur Railway Station, Muzaffarpur, 40 kms away from Vaishali town.
• Road: Well connected by road.

 

SIGHTSEEING AT A GLANCE:

FORT & MONUMENTS	Ashokan Pillar
HOLY CENTRE	Abhiskek Pushkarn (Coronation Tank)   Bawan Pokhar Temple   Buddha Stupa   Choumukhi Mahadeva   Kundalpur   Vishwa Shanti Stupa (World Peace Pagoda)
MUSEUM & AUDITORIUM	Vaishali Museum
HISTORIC SITES	Raja Vishal Ka Garh   Muzzafarpur
FAIRS & FESTIVALS	Vaishali Mahotsav

For more information visit https://vaishali.nic.in/

ATTRACTIONS OF VAISHALI

 

Abhiskek Pushkarn (Coronation Tank):

• Waters of the sacred tank are believed to be used for anointing of the newly elected representatives to the Vaisahli parliament, during the time of the Lichchavis.
• The Lichchavi stupa was located nearby.

 

Ashokan Pillar:

• 18.3 metre high ‘Lion Pillar’ was erected by emperor Ashoka besides a brick stupa a Kolhua, to commemorate the last sermon of Lord Buddha.
• Highly polished pillar is a single piece of red sandstone, surmounted by an inverted lotus shaped capital crowned by a life-size figure of a lion facing north – the direction which Buddha took on his last voyage.
• Stupa was originally built by emperor Ashoka and later enlarged during the Kushan period.
• It is surrounded by a cluster of votive stupas with a small temple amidst them.
• Nearby are remains of a monastery and a tank where Buddha resided during his visit to Vaishali.

 

Bawan Pokhar Temple:

• Ancient shrine dating back to Pala period is set on the northern bank of Bawan Pokhar.
• It has beautiful images of a number of Hindu deities.

 

Buddha Stupa:

• Sacred ashes of Lord Buddha, received by the Lichchavis were enshrined here in a stone casket.
• These were found during an archaeological excavation, buried in the relic chamber along with a terracotta head of Buddha, which is now preserved in the National Museum at Delhi.
• The relics of the stupa are located near the museum and are protected by a circular tin shed amidst a small park.

 

Choumukhi Mahadeva:

• Four headed (Choumukhi) Shivalinga of Lord Shiva is carved out of a black basalt rock and was recovered while excavating a reservoir.

 

Kundalpur:

• Lord Mahavir, the 24^th Jain tirthankara was born here about 2,550 years ago.
• It is believed that Lord Mahavir spent the first 22 years of his life here.
• A commemorative plaque marks the sacred site.

 

Raja Vishal Ka Garh:

• Excavations at this huge mound with a circumference of about 1 km revealed a structure with nearly 2 metres high wall and a 43 metres wide moat around it and are thought to be an ancient parliament house.
• Over seven thousand representatives of the federal assembly gathered here to legislate and discuss the problems of the day.

 

Vishwa Shanti Stupa (World Peace Pagoda):

• It lies on the south bank of the Coronation Tank.
• It is the sixth stupa in the series to be erected in India by Buddha Vihar Society.

 

Vaishali Museum:

• Museum lies near the Coronation tank.
• Exhibits some of the archaeological finds and regional handicrafts.

 

Vaishali Mahotsava:

• Festival held on the full moon day of the month of “Vaisakh” (mid-April) celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir.

 

ATTRACTIONS AROUND VAISHALI

 

Muzzafarpur:

• 35 kms away from Vaishali town.
• It is one of the oldest and largest trade centres of Bihar.
• Popularly known as “Lychee Kingdom”, for its delicious lychee fruit.
• There are also a number of historical sites associated with the Lichchavi kingdom, dating back to 6^th century B.C.