Introduction
Vaishali is a district in Bihar. It is named after the ancient city of Vaishali of Mithila, which is mentioned in the Mahabharata as well as in Buddhism and Jainism. It is a part of Tirhut division. The district is also home to the Barela Salim Ali Zubba Saheni Wildlife Sanctuary from the year 1997. Vaishali district comprises of three sub-divisions; namely Hajipur, Mahnar and Mahua.
Vaishali is an important site for the Jains as well as the Buddhists. Vaishali 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 Shwetambara Jains consider Vaishali to be the birthplace of Mahavira. However this is not accepted by all the Jains.
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.
History of Vaishali
Vaishali is chiefly noted as one of the places where Gautama Buddha often preached. Numerous references to Vaishali are found in texts pertaining to both Jainism and Buddhism, which have preserved much information on Vaishali and the other Mahajanapadas. This place is considered one of the first examples of a republic, in the Vajjian Confederacy (Vajji) Mahajanapada, around the 6th century BC. It was here in 599 BC the 24th Jain Tirthankara; Lord Mahavira was born and brought up in Kundalagrama in Vaishali republic, which makes it a pious and auspicious pilgrimage to Jains community. It is supposed that the town derived its name from King Vishal. The king`s heroic deeds have been mentioned in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Vaishali was the capital city of the Licchavi tribe. However according to history, Pataliputra was the centre of political activity in the Gangetic plains and Vaishali came into existence as centre of the Ganga. It was the seat of the Republic of Vajji. Vaishali is credited with being the World`s First Republic to have a duly elected assembly of representatives and efficient administration.
Lord Buddha"s last Varshavas (rainy season) was here and he announced his approaching Mahaparinirvana (the final departure from the world) just 3 months in advance. Before leaving for Kushinagar, where he laid his mortal coil, he left his alms-bowl here with the people of Vaishali. Vaishali is also renowned as the home of Ambapali, a great courtesan who appears in many folktales as well as in Buddhist literature. Ambapali became a disciple of Gautama Buddha.
Rulers of Vaishali : According to the Vishnu Purana records 34 Kings of Vaishali. The first king was believed to be Nabhaga, who renounced his throne over a matter of human rights and then declared himself as the free tiller of the soil, king over his own acre. The last among the 34 was Sumati, who is considered a contemporary of Dasharatha, father of the Hindu god, Rama.
Politics at Vaishali : 
Vaishali consisted of 3 distinct portions viz. Vaishali, Kundagama and Vaniyagama. In the 6th century B.C. the Licchavis emerged as the most important political power. The earliest political fact about them is that they gave one of their daughters in marriage to Bimbisara of Magadha. They were also on friendly terms with the Kosala king Prasenjit and the Mallas. They were defeated by Ajatsatru.
Relics at Vaishali : A kilometre away is Abhishek Pushkarini, the coronation tank. The sacred waters of the tank anointed the elected representatives of Vaishali. Next to it stands the Japanese temple and the Vishwa Shanti Stupa built by the Nipponzan-Myohoji-Daisanga sect, a Japanese new religion. A small number of Sarira found in Vaishali have been enshrined in the foundation and in the chhatra of this stupa. Near the coronation tank is Stupa 1 or the Relic Stupa. Here the Licchavis reverentially encased one of the 8 portions of Buddha`s relics, which they received after his Parinirvana. After his last discourse, Buddha set out for Kushinagar, but the Licchavis kept following him. Buddha gave them his alms bowl but they still refused to return. The Master created an illusion of a river in spate which compelled them to go back. This site can be identified with Deora in modern Kesaria, where Ashoka later built a Stupa.
Administration of Vaishali : The history of Vaishali is very important from the administrative point of view. It was an oligarchical republic. Citizenship was confined to the members of the united clans. The governmental authority in Vaishali was vested in a senate which consisted of the head of the resident Kshatriya clans and was presided over by a King assisted by a Viceroy and a Commander-in-Chief. Each citizen had the right to call himself a Raja, which was regarded as a synonym for Kshatriya. The Sanghas or corporations were united and hence unconquerable. The public hall was known as "Santhagar". They met there to hold religious and political discussions. There was an officer known as "Regulator of Seats". His duty was to see that the members sit in order of seniority. All matters were settled by majority vote. A quorum was fixed for the meeting. The Nayaka or the Chief Magistrate was elected by the people. He was an executive officer and carried out the decisions of the Assembly. The Vinischay-Mahamatta enquired and examined the accused and his duty was to ascertain the guilt.
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. Vaishali district occupies an area of 2,036 sq km (786 sq mi). 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.
Demography of Vaishali
According to the 2011 census Vaishali district has a population of 3,495,249. The district has a population density of 1,717 inhabitants per sq km. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 28.58%. Vaishali has a sex ratio of 892 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 68.56%.
Festivals at Vaishali
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. Apart from this, the main festival of Bihar is Chhath Puja, normally celebrated in the month of October or November.
Tourism in Vaishali
Tourism in Vaishali deals with the ancient relics, Buddhists stupas, ancient monasteries and the World Peace Pagoda (Viswa Shanti Stupa).
Vaishali is a place inVaishali District of Bihar. This ancient city is named after the Indian epic Mahabharata. This place was well known for Buddhism and Jainism. It is a part of Tirhut division. The name of the ancient city of Vaishali is found in texts pertaining to both Jainism and Buddhism, which have preserved much information on Vaishali and the Sixteen Mahajanapadas. Vaishali was established as a republic by the 6th century BCE, prior to the birth of Gautama Buddha in 563 BCE, making it the world`s first republic.
Relics Stupa of Vaishali : Relics Stupa of Vaishali is near the coronation tank. It is Stupa 1. Relic Stupa of Vaishali is for the Licchavi tribe reverentially encased one of the eight portions of the Master`s relics, which they received after the Mahaparinirvana. After his last discourse the Awakened One set out for Kushinagar, but the Licchavis kept following him. Gautama Buddha gave them his alms bowl but they still refused to return. Lord Gautama created an illusion of a river in spate which compelled them to go back. Relic Stupa of Vaishali can be identified with Deora in modern Kesariya village, where Emperor Ashoka later built a stupa.
Kutagarasala Vihara : Kutagarasala Monastery is the monastery where Gautama Buddha most frequently stayed while visiting Vaisali. It is located 3 kilometres from the relic Stupa, and on its ground can be found the Ananda Stupa, with an Asokan pillar in very good condition (perhaps the only complete Asokan pillar left standing), and an ancient pond.
Coronation Tank of Vailshali : Coronation Tank of Vailshali is located a few hundred metres from the Relic Stupa. It is known as Abhishek Pushkarini. The sacred waters of the tank anointed the elected representatives of Vaisali.
World Peace Pagoda : World Peace Pagpoda is located next to the coronation tank. The Viswa Shanti Stupa stands near the Japanese temple. World Peace Pagoda was built by Japanese Nichiren Buddhist sect Nipponzan-Myohoji. A small part of the Buddha`s relics found in Vaisali have been enshrined in the foundation and in the chhatra of the Stupa.