Raigir Travel

Standing affirmation to the tribulations of time, Rajgir has history's plenty. One can still hear the echo of a resounding past dating back to the epic age. Rajgir is just 10 km from Nalanda, is an affluent treasure trove of significant Buddhist sites.

Rajgir is a small town 46-km from Bodhgaya the town is sainted to the anamnesis of the founders of both Buddhism and Jainism and treasures historical residue like the carved wall and marks engraved on rocks. It was in Rajgrih that Lord Buddha remits some of his great preaching and transformed king Bimbisara of the Magadh Kingdom and myriad others to his doctrine.

Rajgir is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site as Lord Buddha spent 12 years here and the first Buddhist convention after the Buddha was host here at the Saptaparni caves. At the Griddhakuta hill also Buddha delivered many of his sermons as well. With the Japanese collaboration a Stupa has been built on the top of the Ratnagiri hill and connected by a rope-way. It was here that the teachings of Buddha were written in the form of script for the first time.

Major Attractions
Griddhakuta or Vulture's Peak
This was the place where the Lord Buddha send forth his second wheel of law and for 3 months every year during the rainy season, theorized many stimulating sermons to his disciples. The Buddha Sangha of Japan have fabricated an enormous Shanti Stupa also known as Peace Pagoda, at the hilltop in remembrance of Buddha. A curb path leads up to the hill but taking the Aerial Chair lift from the down to top of the hill is really a splendid ride that is operated every day except Thursday. One way distance is covered in just 7.5 minutes giving an ace panorama of the valley down.

Jivaka's Mango Garden /Venuvana
The Jivaka's Mango Garden is the site of the imperial physician's infirmary where the Lord Buddha was once brought to get his wound heeled up under the care of Jivaka, a royal physician during the kingdom of Ajatashatru and Bimbisara. Where as Venuvana is the monastery constructed by king Bimbisara for Lord Buddha to stay.

Jain Temple
There are 26 Jain Temples perched on the hilltop around Rajgir. The accessibility is little difficult due to rough and rugged terrain but can be very exciting for those who dare adventure. The path is also quite appropriate to under take trekking.

Swarna Bhandar (The Treasury)
Swarna Bhandar, the treasury of Bimbisara is chisel out from a single massive rock. Two cave chambers were tunneled out, one of the chambers is sustained to have been the defenders room, the rump wall has two straight vertical lines and one horizontal line cut into the rock; this 'doorway' is supposed to lead to the king's treasury which, according to common belief is still untouched.

Saptdhara
A water springs at the foot of the Vaibhava Hill is just enchanting. The springs are filled with water coming through nozzle from Saptdhara, the seven streams, that find their rootstock behind the Saptaparni Caves, up in the hills.

Rajgir are abode of other archaeological sites like Karnada Tank dedicated to Lord Buddha as it was his bathing place. The Maniyar Math that dates back to 1st century AD, the famous battlefield where Bhima and Jarasandh fought one of the Mahabharat battles.

Celebrations
Malamasa Mela is celebrated every 3 years, a grand fair is organized with visitors thronging from different parts of the country. Rajgir Dance Festival is organized by department of tourism every year. The festival comes in the month of October and is the most colorful festival enriched with classical and folk dances.

Mode of Transport
Air: The nearest airport is Patna 107km and from there tourist buses and cabs are easily available.

Rail: The nearest railhead on Delhi-Howrah main line is Bhaktiyarpur, 54 km, Rajgir is connected through a loop line.

Road: Rajgir is connected by frequent bus services to Patna, Gaya and Delhi/Calcutta.