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Rajgir - City
Rajgir / Rajagriha is a city in Bihar in India. It is 15 km from the ruins of Nalanda University, and 100 km
from Patna, the capital of the state.
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 mentioned in ancient Buddhist and Jain scriptures and
also in the travelogues of Buddhist travellers Huen Tsang and Fa Hian
who visited India during the Mauryan and Gupta times. The city is
divided in two parts, the old fortified city which lies in the valley
surrounded by seven hills (Chhatha, Ratna, Saila, Sona, Udaya, Vaibhara
and Vipula) and the new city established by Ajatshatru, the son of
Bimbisara and a contemprary of Lord Buddha.
How to go to Rajgir.
Patna is the nearest airport which is connected to the major cities of
India.
By train
Rajgir is connected to Patna, Kolkata and Delhi by train.
By road
Rajgir is connected to Patna by road and one can reach there form Patna
by using NH 31-82. There are regular buses from Patna to this town. One
can also take a rented car to reach the place.
Plave to visit, see and sightseeing in Rajgir.
* Japanese stupa, (Atop Gridhakuta).
* Gridhakuta (Vulture's Peak). The place is atop a small hill and
believed to be a meditating place of Lord Buddha. On the top of the
hill, there is a Viswa Shanti Stupa (Peace Stupa) build by the
Government of Japan. One can reach the monument by using the ropeway or
the flight of 600+ stone steps leading to the top of the hill.
* Venuvana (Bamboo grove). Is said to be a bamboo grove gifted to Lord
Buddha by Bimbisara, the then king of Magadh.
* Tapodharma/Lakshmi Narayan Mandir. Tapodharma was the site of an
ancient Buddhist monastery over which a Hindu temple is built today. The
place has hot water springs which are rich in sulfur and said to have a
curative effects.
* Saptaparni Caves (also known as Jarasandh's sitting room). These caves
hosted the First Buddhist Council and were used by early Buddhist monks
as resting places as well as centers of debates.
* Bimbisara's jail. This archeological site is believed to be the jail
in which King Ajatshatru has imprisoned his father Bimbisara. From his
prison cell, Bimbisara could see Buddha meditating on the Gridhakuta.
* Chariot Tracks. The Chariot Route and shell inscriptions consist of
two parallel furrows cut deep into the rock ground for about thirty feet
and are believed to have been made by Lord Krishna's Chariot. Several
undeciphered shell inscriptions are engraved in the rock around the
chariot marks.
* Maniar Matth. Dating 1 century CE, the Maniar Matth is said to be a
monestary of a cult which worshipped snakes. Several snake and cobra
figurins have been found in the vicinity in excavations.
* Sonabhandar. This ancient structure is said to be the treasury of
Magadh.
* Makhdum Kund. This is the shrine of a Muslim Sufi Saint Makhdum Shah
and has warm springs similar to Tapodharma.
* Cyclopean walls. Believed to be 2500 years old, these Cyclopean walls
are a 40 km long and 4 meteres wide fortification running around the
city.
Hotels and place to stay in Rajgir.
Sarada Group of Hotels, (Near Rajgir police station, opposite
Ramakrishna Math),☎ (06112) 255005. Rs 600-1000
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