Bihar- Rajgir

Venuvana Vihara

About

When King Bimbisara heard that the Buddha had come to Rajgir with a retinue of one thousandArahants, he went to the Sapling Grove to meet the Buddha and was converted by the Buddha, attaining the First Stage of Sainthood. Thereafter, he invited the Buddha to his palace for the following day’s meal, after which he donated the famous Bamboo Grove or Veluvana, the first donation of a park (arama), to the Buddha. The cemetery is believed to be the site of the Veluvana Vihara built by Bimbisara for the Buddha’s residence. 

The whole area has been cleaned up and Veluvana now looks like a pleasant park, planted with shade trees, bamboo and flowers, reflecting its original status as the royal park of King Bimbisara. In the vicinity of Veluvana is a large pond with a Buddha image at the centre. This pond is believed to be the site of the Karanda tank mentioned in Buddhist text as the Karanda kanivapa where the Buddha used to take his bath.

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Amaravana or Jivaka's Mango Garden

About

This beautiful garden is dedicated to the name of famous royal physician Jivaka of the ruling period of rulers of Magadhs. The outstanding technique of this expert in surgical field makes him as an interesting personality of the ancient times. He used to be a great follower of Lord Buddhas. It is believed, that to appreciate his dedication, Lord Buddha presented this Mango garden to him. Here you will come to view the ruins of an ancient monastery.

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This was the site of the dispensary of Royal physician Jivaka. Lord Buddha was once brought here to have a wound dressed.

Griddhakuta or Vulture's Peak

About

Another major tourist attractions in Rajgir, this is the site where Lord Buddha preached many inspiring sermons here and also set in motion his second wheel of Law and for three months every year during the rainy season. Today Buddha Sangha of Japan have constructed a massive modern stupa, the Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), at the top of the hill.

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• Religus: True
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The Griddhakuta Hill, also known as the hill of vultures, is the most renowned sightseeing attraction in Rajgir situated at an altitude of 400 m. This place is called the vulture peak due to its shape like vulture and also because it is frequently visited by large number of vultures. This hill is said to be the place where Lord Buddha lived for several years as well as preached the Lotus Sutra to convert the Mauryan King Bimbisara. Along with starting of second wheel of law, Lord Buddha also delivered some important sermons to his followers at this very peak.
Here also exists a peace pagoda or Shanti Stupa, which is said to have been built by the Buddhists of Japan. There is also an old stone on the way to these hills, which is attributed to king Bimbisara. This stone was even used in the 7th century by the Hiuen-Tsang to reach this place. There are also rock-cut steps on these hills that lead to two natural caves, few plaques and a group of Buddhist Shrines. The caves here include a few Buddhist Statues and the area around it contains ruins of brick stupas.
Aerial chairlift facilities are also available in the place to reach the top of this hill. This is a ropeway that takes around 8 minutes to reach the hill and along the way it provides a view of the city of Rajgir. On these hills, there is also a village, which is encircled by a cyclopean wall. This wall consists of marks associated with Lord Krishna’s Chariot along with several other historical remains. There are also ruins of a small hut on the top of these hills that is said to have been built by Dhaniya, who was a potter’s son.
 

Ajatashatru's Fort

About

The Ajatshatru Fort is associated with Magadha’s ruler Ajatshatru. This fort was built by him in the 6th century BC. Near this fort, there is also a stupa spread in an area of 6.5 sq km. The ruins of the famous Cyclopean Wall are also seen around this place.

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Ajatashatru, the king of ancient Magadha is believed to have ruled from this fort for long. Inside is the Ajatashatru's Stupa.

The Cyclopean Wall

About

The city of Rajgir is encircled by a massive 40 km long wall called the Cyclopean Wall. This wall was built during the Mauryan rule from large raw stones being fitted together tactfully. This wall was mainly constructed for Rajgir’s fortification. Presently, the wall does not exist around the city in its old glory and only some of its ruins are left here for the travellers to see.

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This is the remnant of a stonewall, which once encircled ancient Rajgir during the Maurya rule.

Bimbisara's Jail

About

The Bimbisara Jail is situated on the southern side of Maniyar Math, on the main road. This Jail is the place where King Bimbisara was imprisoned by his son Ajatshatru, during his last days of life. This place was chosen by the king himself for his incarceration, as from here he could see Lord Buddha going up the Griddhakuta Hill for meditation. This jail also provides a panoramic view of the Japanese Peace Pagoda, on the hill.

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Bimbisara was the king of Magadha with the capital at Rajgir. He was the greatest patron of Gotama Buddha. He became the king at the age of fifteen and reigned for fifty-two years until he abdicated the throne in favour of his son Ajatasattu (Sanskritised: Ajatashatru). His wife was a princess of Kosala, a sister of the king Pasenadi, who gave birth to Ajatasattu. He had other wives and co-wives, viz., Khema, Silava and Jayasena. He also had a son by the famous courtesan Ambapali, who was given the name Vimala Kondanna. 

 

According to the Pabbaja Sutta of the Sutta Nipata Atthakatha it is stated that he fist saw the ascetic Gotama through his palace window under the Pandava Pabbata and followed him and invited him to visit his court. But when Gotama turned down the invitation he wished him luck in his quest and re-extended the invitation to visit Rajgir no sooner than he achieved Enlightenment. It was in fulfilment of that promise that the Buddha had visited Rajgir after converting the Tebhatika Jatila.

Swarna Bhandar

About

This is believed to be the king Bimbisara treasury - a cave chamber hollowed out of a single massive rock. According to folklores the treasure is still intact.
Archaic monuments literally dot over the land of Rajgir. Some other tourist attractions are: Pippala Cave, Hot Springs at the foot of the Vaibhava Hill and so on.

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• Religus: False
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