Rajgir ( First Capital of Magadh)

 

Rajgir ( First Capital of Magadh)

History Of Rajgir:- 

Rajgir (originally known as Girivraj) is a city and a notified area in Nalanda district in the Indian state of Bihar. The city of Rajgir was the first capital of the kingdom of Magadha, a state that would eventually evolve into the Mauryan Empire. Its date of origin is unknown, although ceramics dating to about 1000 BC have been found in the city. This area is also notable in Jainism and Buddhism as one of the favorite places for Lord Mahavira and Gautama Buddha and the well known "Atanatiya" conference was held at Vulture's Peak mountain.  

Rajgir, meaning the abode of Kings, has been mentioned fist in the ancient Hindu epic Mahabharata as the capital of Magadh, ruled by the mighty King Jarasandha. Although the exact time of the origin of this city has not been established, it is estimated by scholars that it must be around 3,000 years old.  

Rajgir has been closely related to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism and has played host to Lord Buddha and Mahavira, thus has many archeolgical sites related to Buddhism and Jainism.

To See Here:- 

Being a sacred site for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains, Rajgir is certainly a major tourist destination in India. Its links to the ancient India along with Lord Buddha and Mahavira, certainly make Rajgir a must visit location in Bihar 

Ajatshatru Fort:- 

Ajatshatru Fort was built by the Magadha King, Ajatshatru during 6th century i.e. during Gautama Buddha’s time. The fort has a stupa which is also known as the Ajatshatru stupa spreading across 6.5 sq. meters. The fort is an architectural beauty. Especially the high walls and the stone tower attracts tourists by its gigantic size. It is said that Lord Buddha resided here during its construction.

Vishwa Shanti Stupa:-

Vishwa Shanti Stupa (World Peace Pagoda) is a popular Buddhist pilgrim site. It is situated on the Ratnagiri hill. It is a white beauty, showing the four phases of Buddha’s life through four golden statues of Lord Buddha. The Peace Pagoda is said to be built by a Japanese Buddhist monk, Nipponzan Myohoji in 1969. This stupa is world’s tallest Peace Pagoda and considered as the symbol of peace and harmony. Enjoy the ride on the ropeway to Reach Here

Bimbisara Jail:-

Inside the Ajatshatru Fort is the Bimbisara Jail. It is said that Ajatshatru kept his father, Bimbisara in the prison after he became king. It is situated in the southern side of Maniyar Math. It is surrounded by high walls and stone pillars. It is said that King Bimbisara decided to stay in this small room of the prison during his last days as he could see Lord Buddha, who was residing in the fort at that time going to Girdhkut Parvat for meditation. Hence, the jail provides a amazing view of the World Peace Pagoda.

Jain Temples:-

Besides being a Buddhist pilgrimage, Rajgir is also known as being a pilgrimage for Jainism. There are many Jain temples in and around Rajgir. Digambar Jain Siddha Kshetra Temples are the most prominent ones. Rajgir is surrounded by four hills and these hills have 8 temples. Besides these 8 temples, two temples are situated in the valley. Lal Mandir, one of the most popular temple is located in the Udaigiri hills. It is a magnificent structure of red and white stones.On hill crests around Rajgir, far in the distances one can see about 26 Jain Temples. They are difficult to approach for the untrained, but make exciting trekking for those in form.

Cyclopean Walls:-

Cyclopean walls are 40 km long walls encircling old Rajgir. It is made of raw stones and was built during the Mauryan period for marking the capital of Rajgir. Even though the wall is no more in its glorious form, yet it still attracts tourists. 

Venu Vana:-

Venu Vana is the Bamboo Forest, gifted by the Magadha King Bimbisara to Lord Buddha about 2500 years ago and it is said to be one of Buddha’s favorite place during his stay there. There is a big pond in the midst of the Venu Vana. It is said that Lord Buddha used to take bath in this pond before starting his day in Rajgir. The pond escalates the beauty of the forest. The peace and serenity of the place is the main attraction for the tourists.

Hot Springs:-

Hot springs are in abundance in Rajgir. All of them are considered to be sacred places for Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The Hot Springs are also known for its medicinal values. The Saptarni cave source of Hot Spring is regarded as the most sacred one. The hottest Hot Spring in Rajgir is Brahmakund with 45 degree Centigrade.

Jarashand ka Akhara:-

This is the Ranbhumi where Bhima and Jarasandh fought one of the Mahabharat battles.

Jivakameavan Gardens: -

Seat of the Royal Physician's dispensary where Lord Buddha was once brought to have wound dressed by Jivaka, the royal physician during the reign of Ajatshatru and Bimbisara.

Karanda Tank:-

It is the tank in which Buddha used to bathe.  

Sonbhandar Caves:-

Two rather strange cave chambers were hollowed out of a single massive rock. One of the chambers I believed to have been the guard room, the rear wall has two straight vertical lines and one horizontal line cut into the rock; the doorway is supposed to lead to king Bimbisara Treasury. Inscriptions in the Sankhlipi or shell script, etched into wall and so far undeciphered, are believed to give the clue to open the doorway. The treasure, according to folklore, is still intact. The second chambers bears a few traces of seated and standing etched into the outer wall. 

Veerayatan:- 

A Jain Temple and Museum  

Chariot Route Marks :-

The Chariot Route and hell inscriptions are worth a visit for the strangeness of the phenomenon, two parallel furrows cut deep into rock for about thirty feet giving credence to the local belief that they were "burnt" into the rock by the speed and power of Lord Krishna's chariot when he entered the city of Rajgir during the epic Mahabharata times. 

Several shell inscriptions, the undeciphered characters current in central and eastern India from the 1st to 5th centuries AD, and engraved in the rock around the chariot marks.  

Pippala cave:-

Above the hot springs on the Vaibhava Hill, is a rectangular stone sculpted by the forces of nature which appears to have been used as a watch tower. Since it later became the resort of pious hermits, it is also called Pippala Cave and popularly known as "Jarasandh ki Baithak" after the name of the King Jarasandh, a contemporary of Lord Krishna described in the epic Mahabharata

Swarn Bhandar: -

It is to be said that that it was a store of Gold of King Jarashandh. A unread story about the cave is that there is a lot of gold in this cave and a script is written on a stone is the code to unlock the door of this Swarn Bhandar. 

Gridhakuta:-

This was the place where the lord Buddha set in a motion his second wheel of law an for three months even during the rainy season, preached many inspiring sermons to his disciples. The Buddha Sangha of Japan have constructed a massive modern stupa, the Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), at the top of the hill in commemoration. A bridle path leads to up to the hill but it is much more fun to take the Aerial Chair lift which operates every day except Thursday. One way ride takes 7.5 minutes and the view is splendid over the hills of Rajgir.

Festival's:-

Rajgir Dance Festival: Bihar State tourism Department organizes every year, this colorful festival of classical and folk dances from October 4 to October 26.  

Makar Sankranti: Another festival specific to Rajgir is "Makar Sankaranti Mela", held on the last day of lunar calendar month "Paus", around middle January (14th January). Devotees make flower offering to the deities of the temples at the Hot Springs and bathe in the holy water 

Malamasa Mela: Rajgir celebrates the Malamasa mela when a fair is held here every three years. The Indian calendar every three years has a thirteenth month which is considered auspicious. Arts and Crafts: The places around Rajgir are famous for stone Sculptors and bowls.

How To Reach:-  

Air:- 

The nearest is Gaya International Airport, Gaya which is 78 km which is connected to International Destinations like Bangkok, Columbo, etc. Another airport is at Patna 101 km. Air India, Indigo, Jet Airways and Go Air connect Patna to Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Ranchi and Lucknow.  

Rail:- Rajgir railway station connects the city to other parts of country yet the nearest convenient railhead is at Gaya Junction railway station 78 km. The Bakhtiyarpur-Tilaiya line provides improved rail connectivity to many places.  

Road:- Rajgir is connected by road to Patna - 110 km, Nalanda - 12 km, Gaya - 78 km, Pawapuri - 38 km, Bihar Sharif - 25 km, etc.  

Bus:- Regular buses are available from all the above said points to Rajgir.  

Local Transport:- Taxis and Buses and Tongas are available.

Near to See:-

Swarajpur-Baragaon:- 18 km. The lake with its temple of Surya, the Sun God, is a pilgrim destination twice a year in "Vaisakha" (April-May) and in "Kartika" (October-November) during the Chhath Puja or Sun Worship. 

Kundalpur:- The Digamber sect of Jains believe that Lord Mahavira was born at Kundalpur, 18 km from Rajgir. A Jain temple and two lotus lakes - The Dirga Pushkarni and Pandava Pushkarni mark the spot.  

Pawapuri:- 35 km. Pawapuri is also known as Apapuri (A sinless city), it is a great pilgrimage center of the Jains. Mahavira Tirthankar, the greatest profounder of Jainism had delivered his last sermons here, took Mahaprinirvana here and was cremated here. Jalmandir and Samosharan are two beautiful temples.

Bihar Sharif:- 25 km away, this little town on the top of a craggy rock, attracts thousand of pilgrims of all religions who visit the tomb of Makhdum Shah Sharif-ud-din, a Muslim saint of 14th century. Bihar Sharif was once the capital of the Muslim Governors of Bihar between 13th and 16th centuries when the city was an active cultural center and an important seat of Muslim thought and learning.  

Nalanda:- 10 km, where ruins of the great ancient University has been excavated. The university of Nalanda was founded in 5th century AD, this great seat of learning flourished until 12th century. Once 2000 teachers and 10000 students crowded it portals. King after king built monasteries and temples here.