Bihar-nalanda

Bimbisara Jail nalanda

About

Bimbisara was a King, and later, Emperor of the Magadha empire from 542 BC till 492 BC[3] and belonged to the Haryanka dynasty.[4] His expansion of the kingdom, especially his annexation of the kingdom of Anga to the east, is considered to have laid the foundations for the later expansion of the Maurya Empire.

 

He is also known for his cultural achievements and was a great friend and protector of the Buddha. Bimbisara built the city of Rajagriha, famous in Buddhist writings. He was succeeded on the throne by his son Ajatashatru.

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According to Buddhist scriptures, King Bimbisara met the Buddha for the first time prior to the Buddha's enlightenment, and later became an important disciple that featured prominently in certain Buddhist suttas. He is recorded to have attained sotapannahood, a degree of enlightenment in Buddhist teachings.

 

Jain scriptures, on the other hand, described King Bimbisara as a disciple of Mahavira who frequently sought his teachings. As per Jain texts, he is referred to as King Shrenika of Rajgriha (being the possessor of a large army). Bimbisara sent Jivaka to Ujjain for medical treatment of King Pradyata, the king of Avanti. He was Baldev in a previous life. Per scriptures, this soul is to become the first tirthankara of the next cycle.

Giriyak hill

About

It is the name of the hilltop where an important remains of a stupa is situated The base pedestals measure about 10’ high and the cylindrical brick stupa on it is about 28’ in diameter and the height 21’. There is an ancient stone path about 20’ wide that leads to the peak till the stupa. 

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View & Feel - The Cylindrical Stupa has beautiful motifs on its sides. The layer of plaster is also visible at different places on the stupa, sometimes almost thicker than an inch. So it can be assumed that this stupa was once decorated with stucco images and was an important destination for the followers of Buddism. There is a lake on the hill a little beyond the stupa and the view of the green valley below with the azure Ghorakatora Lake spread at the valley below is absolutely a breathtaking spectacle from the hill top.

Hot Spring Kund

About

It is learned that there were plenty of hot springs in Rajgir earlier. Presently the most visited hot spring is in the eastern slope of Vaibhar hill. As there are multiple Hindu temple structures and tales related to Mahabharata with the main hot spring, it is very popular to Hindu pilgrims. The tank (popularly known as Brahma Kund) and faucets constructed to facilitate the bathers and there is a separate enclosure with a faucet for ladies. This water is supposed to be healing, especially for arthritis and joint pains. 

 

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There is also another hot spring in the adjacent Vipula hill popular to Muslim devotees known as Makhdum Kund. It is named after Muslim saint Makhdum Saheb, who is believed to have spent 12 years in the jungles of Rajgir in 13th century. There is no entry fee.

• Son Bhandar

  

  About

  
  At the southern side of the Vaibhara hill facing the west there are two adjacent rock-cut caves which were originally double storied. Engravings of Jain Tirthankaras are found on the walls of the caves. The popular myth goes as that this place was the gold treasury of king Bimbisara, thus the name of the place. There is a doorway and windows at this rock cut cave.
  
  
  
  
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At the interior of the cave there are six small figures of Jain Tirthankaras carved in relief and representing Padmaprabha, Parshvanatha and Mahavira. 

Vishwa Shanti Stupa

About

The magnificent white marble and concrete stupa dome rises about 125’ high that was built in 1969 at the top of the Ratnagiri hill to commemorate the Buddha. There are four golden Buddha statues around the dome. The sombre sound of the enormous gong emitting from the temple behind fills the entire space with an aura of sanctity. The Buddha’s favourite meditation peak Gridhkuta is the adjacent peak which can be reached by climbing down a well maintained stairway from this peak. View & Feel - The 7.5 minute ropeway ride to the top is quite a thrilling experience.

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The sprawling forest on the hill and the valley flow past below the uphill ride. The tiny white speck that is visible from the base of the hill emerges as an enormous white monument with an expansive open space with ample sitting arrangements surrounding the stupa. Ropeway closing day – Thursday

Kundalpur

About

Believed to be the birth place of Tirthankar Mahavir this place is considered one of the most important pilgrimage by the Digambar sect of Jains. The proximity to the ancient capital city Rajgir Kundalpur was an important satellite town and popular among travellers.

 

This is a modern temple built with a large open space and a beautiful temple structure. There are 72 idols of Jinas in a separate two storied building. There is also very good accommodation facility in a large separate building for the devotees. 

 

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Kundalpur is a historical pilgrimage site for Jainism in India. It is located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, 35 km from the city of Damoh.

Pawapuri

About

Around 500 BCE the 24th Tirthankara Mahavira is believed to have attained Nirvana at this place. Also known as Apapuri meaning ‘no sin place’ is one of the most sought after destinations for the Jains. This cremation ground was considered very auspicious by the devotees and they collected soil from this site as holy relic. This was done at such an enormous rate that it is said that a huge abyss was created. The exquisite marble temple now shines like a pearl amidst the lotus tank that was converted from the crater. 

 

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The temple of Pawapuri the 24th Tirthankara Mahavir was cremated is a symbol of purity also known as Jal Mandir. The quaint white temple in the middle of the very large tank filled with lotus seems to have bloomed itself like a blossom. The walk along the long bridge connecting the temple with the mainland through the pink white lotus is a mesmerising experience. The water birds wading amidst the lotus plants and their chirpings in the sombre silence create an unparalleled spiritual impact.

Samwasaran

About

The Swetambara sect of Jains believe that at this place the 24th and last Tirthankara Mahavir delivered the first and also the last sermon. 

In the middle of the white marble yard the conical flight of stairs carries one to the shrine mounted on the top of the conical mount. 

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Jain doctrine states that there would be four tiers in the circular hall where the Samavasarana would be held. The first and highest would be for the Tirthankara and his Ganadharas, or disciples. It would have a cushion that is shaded by a tree twelve times the height of the Tirthankara.[citation needed] The second tier would be for humans, and the third for animals. The fourth would be an area to park the vehicles and modes of transportation in which the visitors would arrive. According to Jainism, there would be gates on all sides of the hall. The total size of the hall would be 12 km² and the area on which it sits would have been cleaned and leveled pneumatically.

Nalanda University Ruin

About

It is the ruins of one of the oldest residential international university which thrived from around 5th or 6th century CE till 13th century. The current excavated site spreads across around 14 acres of land. However, if the description of Zuanzang, the 7th century Chinese traveller is to be correlated the excavated part is only about 10% of the actual area on which the original institute was spread over. 

This learning pilgrimage was patronised by the kings of Gupta and Pala dynasties and during the rule of the King Harshavardhana (7th CE) it reached the zenith. The account of theChinese pilgrim Zuanzang, who lived and learned here at that time, gives a picturesque description of this place as "An azure pool winds around the monasteries, adorned with the full-blown cups of the blue lotus; the dazzling red flowers of the lovely kanaka hang here and there, and outside groves of mango trees offer the inhabitants their dense and protective shade." 

 

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Presently, the restoration of the ruins of Nalanda ensures a good security system for the monument and a well maintained garden area around the space. The huge remaining section of the main stupa that was charred and destroyed by the Turk invader Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193, still stands tall to tell the tale of the height of knowledge for which once this region was famous worldwide. A walk through the red brick structures of other votive stupas, temples, dormitories for students and teachers where about 10,000 students and 2000 teachers lived and learned is truly a stimulating experience.

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