Rajgir

Rajgir, just 15 kms from Nalanda is located the complex of temples and monasteries. It is one of the most important tourist places in India. Rajgir was the capital of the Magadha when Patliputra was not formed. In those days it was called "Rajagriha".

Rajgir or Rajagriha means the "Home of Royalty". This place has been associated with Lord Buddha and Buddhism. Buddha not only spent many years in Rajgir but also delivered sermons here and proselytized Emperor Bimbisara at the Gridhakuta hill. The "Jeevak Amravana" monastery was the favorite residence for Buddha. Even Bimbisara gave "Venuvan Vihar" to Buddha for his residence. It is said that it was at Rajgir that physician treated Buddha, Jeevak after he was injured by his cousin Devadatta. The teachings of Buddha were penned down at Rajgir and it was also the venue for the First Buddhist Council.

Rajgir is considered a sacred place due to long association with Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira. It is learned that there were plenty of hot springs in Rajgir earlier. Presently the most visited hot spring is in the eastern slope of Vaibhava Hill. At the foot of Vaibhava Hill, a staircase leads up to various temples. Separate bathing places have been organized for men and women and the water comes through spouts from "Saptdhara", the 7 streams which is believed to find their source behind the "Saptarni Caves", up in the hills. As there are multiple Hindu temple structures and tales related to Mahabharata with the main hot spring, it is very popular among Hindu pilgrims.

Brahma Kund in Rajgir
Brahma Kund is the hottest of the springs and the most celebrated with a temperature of 45 degree Celsius. In the western corner of the wall, there is a stone idol of Lord Brahma where the devotees after bathing in the kund make the prescribed rituals. The tank and faucets constructed to facilitate the bathers and there is a separate enclosure with a faucet for ladies. These hot water springs have curative properties, especially for arthritis and joint pains and are sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists.

Makhdum Kund in Rajgir
Makhdum Kund is situated on the north side of the Vipula Hill. A small cave in an upper enclosure is said to have been frequently used by the Makhdum Shah Sharif-ud-Din, a Muslim saint of 14th Century, for purposes of meditation during his sojourn of 12 years in the jungles of Rajgir. The holy water of this kund is warm and sacred for the devotees.

Guru Nanak Kund in Rajgir
At the time of Guru Nanak"s visit, he had long discussion with Buddhist and Jain monks and impressed upon them towards the importance of devotion to one god. The city was surrounded by hot springs and cold drinking water was not available to people. So, on pointing out of the Guru, people dug a place and water gushed out. From then, the place is known as "Nanak Kund", where later this Gurdwara was built.

Tourism in Rajgir of Bihar defines the hills of ancient times, the ponds and lakes of pre historic times and the architecture of Mauryan times, later Guptas and many other kings of ancient times. The glorious history of India is portrayed with the nature of Rajgir.

Some of the tourist"s attraction sites in Rajgir are Griddhakuta Hills (Vulture`s Peak), Pipphali House or Cave, Jain Temples of Rajgir, Venuvana, Jivakarama monastery, Tapodarama and many other tourist"s spots. These tourists" spots are the major tourist"s attractions of Rajgir.

Griddhakuta Hill (Vulture`s Peak)
Griddhakuta Hill also known as Vulture"s Peak is an ancient hill and described in Buddhist canonical texts as one of the plays where Gautama Buddha stayed when he was at Rajgir. This hill was described both by Xuanzang and Faxian, Griddhakuta Hill was identified in the later 19th century and now crowned by the Japanese built Shanti Stupa and has a chairlift at the top. Griddhakuta Hill has remained a major destination for pilgrims in both the ancient and modern periods.

Pipphali Cave
Papphali Cave is also an ancient place mentioned in the Pali Canon. It is regarded as the place where Maha Kassapa stayed for a short time, when he was ill.

Jain Temples of Rajgir
In Rajgir, there are 26 Jain temples, located on hill crest. Jain Temples of Rajgir are located at tough terrain and it is very difficult for the untrained to reach there.

Hot Springs of Rajgir
Ragir also houses the hot springs of Rajgir, which are very popular and they lie at the foot of the Vaibhave Hill. There are separate bathing arrangements that have been made for men and women and a staircase leads up-to the various temples. The water of these hot springs comes from the Saptadhara through spouts that is believed to find their source behind the Saptaparni Caves high in the hills. Brahma kund spring is the hottest of the springs and has a temperature of around 45 degree Celsius.

Venuvana Bamboo Grove
Venuvana, a bamboo grove was given by Bimbisara to Lord Buddha, which was also the first Buddhist Monastery ever in Rajgir. The bamboo grove was given to Gautama Buddha so that he and his monks could relax here and give their messages to people.

Jivakarama Monastery
Jivakarama monastery was donated to Gautama Buddha by Jivaka, the greatest physician of the time of Gautama Buddha.
Tapodarama Monastery
An ancient monastery of the time of Lord Buddha, Tapodaram Monastery was located on the site of the hot springs. Now a Hindu temple has been erected here, called the Laxmi Narayan Temple. During the ancient times, the hot springs used to be the site of Tapodarama, a Buddhist monastery.

Saptaparni Cave
Saptaparni Cave is the site where the first Buddhist Council was held under the guidance of Maha Kassapa. Lord Buddha also stayed at this place sometimes and it was used as an accommodation place for monks.

Jarasandha Ka Akhara
Jarasandha Ka Akhara is an important place related to the great albeit evil warrior who used to practice martial arts here daily. There relentless attack on Mathura also caused Lord Krishna to migrate the people of Mathura to Dwarika.

Laxmi Narayan Temple
Laxmi Narayan Temple is a pink-coloured Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort Goddess Laxmi. Within its grounds the temple has ancient hot springs, where the people used to take a dip in the ancient time. Now the spring has been tapped at a higher level and flows through many ceramic pipes in a hall, where people sit under it and enjoy the bath. Muslims are not allowed to enter inside the hot spring bath hall.

Bimbisara`s Jail
Bimbisara`s Jail is situated in the middle of the valley. Bimbisara`s Jail is a ruin of circular structure with turrets at each corner. It was discovered in the year 1914 AD. Bimbisara`s Jail looks like a military structure and possibilities are that it could be a Buddhist monastery of the first millennium AD. It is said that Bimbisara was imprisoned by his son Ajatashatru, Ruler of Magadha here, and took the glance of Gridhakuta and the Lord Buddha through a window.

Nalanda
Nalanda is located just 10 kilomters. Nalanda has the ruins of the ancient university that have been excavated. One of the oldest universities of the world, the Nalanda University was founded in 5th century AD and flourished till the 12th century.

Kundalpur
Kundalpur is 18 kilometres away Rajgir, the Digambara sector of the Jains believe that Lord Mahavira was born here.

Bihar Sharif
Bihar Sharif is situated at a distance of 25 kilometres from Rajgir. Bihar Sharif was once the capital of Muslim Governors of Bihar between the 13th and 16th centuries. Bihar Sharif houses the tomb of a Muslim Saint of 14th century Makhdum Shah Sharifuddin and attracts thousands of pilgrims of all religions every year.

Pawapuri
Pawapuri is located 35 kilometres away from Rajgir. Pawapuri is a place of great importance for the Jains. Pawapuri is home to two beautiful temples Jalamandir and Samosharan temple. Mahavira Teerthankars, the greatest profounder of Jainism had given his last sermon and Mahaprinirvana here, and he was cremated here also.