Vaishali is an important site for the jains as well as the Buddhists. Vaisali was a prosperous town and a centre of Jain culture. This place has been mentioned in Ramayana also. The legend is that the Ikshvaku queen Alambusha had a son Visala, who laid the foundation of the city named Visalapuri. Sumati was one of the descendants of Visala. King Visala has also been mentioned in the Puranas too. Lord Mahavira had also visited this place. The Swetambara Jains consider Vaishali to be the birthplace of Mahavira. However this is not accepted by all the Jains.

A fine modern temple has been built, with an image of Mahavira Vardhamana. The temple has been artistically erected and has started attracting pilgrims. On the occasion of Mahavira Jayanti a big fair is held which is attended by several people.

For the Buddhists too Vaishali is an important place. The second great Buddhist Council was held at Vaishali. Lord Buddha permitted the nuns to enter the sangh at the request of Ananda, his favourite disciple, and his foster mother, Maha Prajapati, became the first Buddhist nun at Vaishali.

Geography of Vaishali
The district of Vaishali came in to existence on 12/10/1972. Earlier it was the part of old Muzaffarpur district. Vaishali district is a part of Tirhut division. The town of Vaishali is also known as Vishala. Outside the town, leading uninterruptedly up to the Himalaya, is the Mahavana, a large, natural forest.

Some of the notable sites of Vaishali are:
Relic Stupa
This stupa is near the coronation tank. Licchavis encased one of the eight portions of the Master`s relics, which they received after the Mahaparinirvana. Lord Buddha gave them his alms bowl but they still refused to return. The Master created an illusion of a river which forced them to go back.

Kutagarasala Vihara
This is the monastery where Buddha stayed frequently while visiting Vaisali. It is located about three kilometres from the relic Stupa. On its ground one can see the Ananda Stupa, with an Asokan pillar as well as an ancient pond.

Coronation Tank
Abhishek Pushkarini is the coronation tank which is a few hundred metres away from the Relic Stupa.

World Peace Pagoda
The world peace Pagoda or Visva Santi Pagoda was built by Japanese Nichiren Buddhist sect Nipponzan Myohoji. This is near to the coronation tank.