Rajgir

Rajgir was Rajagriha, capital of Magadha before the seat moved to Pataliputra, set in a valley enclosed by five hills with cyclopean walls still traceable along them. The Buddha spent years here and preached on Gridhrakuta, the Vulture's Peak, and the first Buddhist council met in a cave nearby after his death; Mahavira also taught here, which makes it significant to Jains. Hot springs at the base of Vaibhara hill are used for bathing and are managed as separate tanks. A chairlift climbs to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, a white peace pagoda built by a Japanese order on the summit.

Background

The old name, Rajagriha, means 'The City of Kings'. Its date of origin is unknown, but ceramics of about 1000 BCE have turned up in the town, and the 2,500-year-old cyclopean wall stands in the area. The Mahabharata links the place with its king Jarasandha. The Haryanka kings Bimbisara (558-491 BC) as well as Ajatashatru (492-460 BC) ruled from here, before Udayin (460-440 BC) moved the capital to Pataliputra. Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, passed fourteen years at Rajgir and Nalanda, and a temple about 1200 years old honours Tirthankara Munisuvrata. The present Nalanda University, named after the ancient one, was founded nearby in 2010. In 2011 the town counted about 41,000 people.

Source: Wikipedia, "Rajgir"

What you'll find

• Gridhrakuta - the Vulture's Peak where the Buddha preached.
• The hot springs - bathing tanks at the foot of Vaibhara hill.
• The peace pagoda - a white stupa on the summit, reached by chairlift.
• The cyclopean walls - ancient fortification traceable along the hills.

When to go

October to March; Bihar summers are severe. The chairlift queues at weekends. Hot spring tanks are busiest in the morning.

Practical notes

The single-seat chairlift is old and unnerving for some; a newer ropeway operates alongside. Hot spring tanks are crowded and water quality is variable. Sites are spread and need transport.

Nearby

Nalanda lies north; Bodh Gaya is southwest.

Key facts