Rajgir is 10 km south of Nalanda and sacred to the memory of the founder of both Lord Buddha and Mahavira. Lord Buddha spent many months of retreat during the rainy season here, and used to meditate and preach on Griddhkut, renowned as ‘Hill of the Vultures’. Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism spent fourteen years of his life at Rajgir and Nalanda. It was in Rajgir where Lord Buddha preached his famous sermons and converted king Bimbisar of the Magadh kingdom and countless others to his creed.

Once a great city, Rajgir is reduced to a small town today but the relics of ancient civilization still haunts travelers. The legends from the epic Mahabharata associates Rajgir’s to a distant time when the stirring events were being enacted. The place is located in a verdant valley surrounded by rocky hills. An areal ropeway provides the link with a hill top stupa ‘Peace Pagoda’ built by the Japanese. The cave of Saptparni, which was Buddha’s First Council is located in on of the hills. The cave is also a source of hot water spring.

Sights And Activities

Amara Van or Jivak’s mango Garden
The place was once the royal physicians dispensary where Lord Buddha once brought to have wound dressed by Jivak, the royal physicians during the reign of Ajatshatru and Bimbisar.

Venu Van
King Bimbisar built the monastery for Lord Budha to reside. This was king’s first offering to Lord Buddha.

Griddhakut or Vulture’s Peak
This is an important Buddhist place where Lord Buddha set in motion his second wheel of law and for three months every year during the rainy season preached many inspiring sermons to his disciples. Japanese Buddhist association have established a massive modern stupa known as Peace Pagoda at the top of the hill in commemoration. A bridle path leads up to the hill but it is much more fun to take the Aerial Chairlift, which operates every day except Thursday.

Ajatashatru’s Fort
An illustrious king in the 6th century BC, the fort was built by the king during the Buddha’s time. The 6.5 sq.meter Ajatashatru’s stupa is also believed to have been built by him.

Fair And Festivals
Malamas Mela is held in every three years. It is one of the main festivals of Rajgir and have an ancient origin. Another festival, which is very popular in India is of same grandiosity in Rajgir, is Makar Sankranti Mela, held in around the middle of January. Common rituals are to offer flowers to the deities of the temples at the hot water springs and bathe in the holy water. Every year Department of Tourism, Bihar organizes Rajgir Dance Festival, this colorful festival of classical and folk dances at Rajgir is usually held at the end of October.

Jain Temples
On hill crests around Rajgir, form 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 forms.

The Cyclopean Wall
Once 40 km long, it encircled ancient Rajgir . built of massive undressed stone carefully fitted together, the wall is one of the few important Pre Mauryan stone structures ever to have been found. Traces of the wall still subsist, particularly of the exit of Rajgir to Gaya.

Excursions From Rajgir

Swaranjan –Baragaon
This picturesque lake with its temple of Surya (Sun god) is located 18 km away from Rajgir. It is thronged by pilgrims twice a year during “Vaisakh” ( April –May) and in “Kartik” (October – November) during the Chhath Puja or Sun Worship.

Kundalpur
The place is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. Situated at 18km from Rajgir, the place has one Jain temple and two lotus lakes.

Nalanda
10 km where ruins of erstwhile world oldest as well as greatest University Nalanda has been excavated. The university of Nalanda was founded in 5th century AD, this great seat of learning flourished until 12th century. The place was once crowded with 2000 teachers and 10000 students.