mukesh

Rajgir is a city and a well known touristic place in Nalanda district of Bihar,India.

The city of Rajgir (ancient Rājagṛha; Pali: Rājagaha) was the first capital of the kingdom of Magadha, a state that would eventually evolve into the Mauryan Empire.Rajgir or Rajgrih means the home of Royalty.

This place has been associated with Lord Buddha and for Buddhism. Buddha not only spent many years in Rajgir but also delivered many sermons here and proselytized emperor Bimbisar on Griddhakoota hill. The Jivekarmavan monastery was the favorite residence for Buddha. Even Bimbisar gave Venuvan Vihar to Buddha for his residence,now state govt decided to promote Venuvan as eco tourism. It is said that it was at Rajgir that physician treated Buddha, Jivak after he was injured by his cousin Devdatta.The teachings of Buddha was penned down at Rajgir and it was also the venue for the first Buddhist Council which was held that time. Today Rajgir has come up as one of the most important pilgrimage for the Buddhist,hindus and muslims.Rajgir also has some very beautiful Hindu and Jain temples which attracts Hindus and Jains also to the place. Not only as a place for worship, Rajgir has come up as health and winter resort with its warm water springs and warm water reserviour. These ponds are said to contain some medicinal properties which help in the cure of many skin diseases for human being. The added attraction of Rajgir is the Ropeway which takes you uphill to the Shanti Stupa and Monasteries built by the Japanese Devotees on top of the Ratnagiri hills.If you reach Shanti Stupa you will feel a kind of silence and calmness.

Places to see:

1) Jarashand ka Akhara This is the Ranbhumi where Bhima and Jarasandh fought one of the Mahabharat battles.

2) Jivakameavan Gardens Seat of the Royal Physician's dispensary where Lord Buddha was once brought to have wound dressed by Jivaka, the royal physician during the reign of Ajatshatru and Bimbisara.

3 )Ajatshatru Fort: Built by Ajatshatru (6th century B.C.), the king of Magadha during the Buddha's time. The 6.5 sq.meter Ajatshatru's Stupa is also believed to have been built by him.

4)Sonbhandar Caves 2 rather strange cave chambers were hollowed out of a single massive rock. One of the chambers I believed to have been the guard room, the rear wall has two straight vertical lines and one horizontal line cut into the rock; the doorway is supposed to lead to king Bimbisara Treasury. Inscriptions in the Sankhlipi or shell script, etched into wall and so far undeciphered, are believed to give the clue to open the doorway. The treasure, according to folklore, is still intact. The second chambers bears a few traces of seated and standing etched into the outer wall.

5)Shanti Stupa The Vishwa Shanti Stup is located on a 400 meter high hill. The stupa is built in marble and on the four corners of the stupa are four glimmering statues of Buddha. To reach the top of this hill one has to come through the “Ropeways”. This place is also called the GriddhKoot.

6) Venu Vana Site of the monastery Venuvana Vihar built by king Bimbisara for Lord Buddha to reside. This was the king's first offering to Lord Buddha.

7) Bimbisar jail his impatient saon and heir, Ajatashatru, imprisoned King Bimbisara here. The captive king chose this site for his incarceration, for, from this spot he could see Lord Buddha climbing up to his mountain retreat atop the Griddhakuta hill. There is a clear view of the Japanese Pagoda. The stupa of peace was built on the top of the hill.

8) Veerayatan A Jain Temple and Museum.

9) Jain Temple On hill crests around Rajgir, far in the distances one can see about 26 Jain Temples. They are difficult to approach for the untrained, but make exciting trekking for those in form.

10) Hot Springs Beneath the Vaibhava Hill, a staircase leads up to the various temples. Separate bathing places have been organized for men and women and the water comes through spouts from Saptdhara, the seven streams, believed to find their source behind the "Saptarni Caves".

11) Pippala cave Above the hot springs on the Vaibhava Hill, is a rectangular stone sculpted by the forces of nature which appears to have been used as a watch tower. Since it later became the resort of pious hermits, it is also called Pippala Cave and popularly known as "Jarasandh ki Baithak" after the name of the King Jarasandh, a contemporary of Lord Krishna described in the epic Mahabharata.

How to Reach:-

Air: The nearest airport is at Patna 101 kms. Most of domestic carriers connect Patna to Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Ranchi ,Lucknow,Bangalore and Kathmandu.

Rail: Though Rajgir itself has a railway station and direct trains from Delhi and Kolkata.Nearest main junction Gaya(78kms) and Patna.

Road: Rajgir is connected by road to Patna - 110 kms, Nalanda - 12 kms, Gaya - 78 kms, Pawapuri - 38 kms, etc.

Bus : Regular buses are available from Kolkata, Ranchi, Patna, Gaya, Biharsharif and Nawadah to Rajgir.

Local Transport: Taxis and Buses and Tongas(horse cart) are available.

Where to Stay

Tourist Bungalows run by BSTDC

Ajatshatru Vihar, Gautam Vihar, Tathagat Vihar

other than above hotels you will find lot many more hotels run by private owners including one 5 star japanese hotel Hokke.

Excursions

Swarajpur - Baragaon 18 km

Pawapuri - 36 km.

Nalanda - 11 km.

Kakolat water fall - 55kms

Kakolat the wonderful water Fall

Historical and mythological our eminent Kakolat is situated on a very sweetly beautiful hill named Kakolat hill. Although every inch of kakolat is panoramic view as the gift of goddess nature but sweet spring of Kakolat is the supreme bliss. It is a waterfall in Govindpur police station, about 33 KMs away from Nawadah. After going 15KMs from Nawada on NH-31 (Ranchi/Kolkata/Dhandab) pucca road known as Govindpur Akbarpur road diverts from there .Just below the fall there is a deep reservoir natural in character.

Kakolat Fall is a popular fall in Bihar. Many people come for picnics from different places of India in the summer season.

The fall is about 150 to 160 feet, from the ground level. The scene is panoramic due to all-round green forest area, which is very pleasant to the eyes. A legend is prevalent that in Treta Yuga a king was cursed by a rishi and had to take the shape of a python and lived here. The place was visited by the great Pandavas during their exile and the accursed king got salvation from the damnation. The king after getting rid of the curse proclaimed that one who would bathe in the waterfall will not take the yoni of snake and that is why a large number of people from far and near bathe in the fall. A big fair is held on the occasion of Baisakhi or Chait Shankranti.

How to reach Kakolat

By Air

The airport nearest to Kakolat is at Gaya but it doesn't have regular flights. One can also take a flight to Patna , which is linked to almost all the key cities of India.

By Rail

Nawadah has its own railway station which is linked to Gaya JN. However, the railway station of Gaya is better connected with the major cities. One can reach Patna either by rail or air and can easily get a taxi from there to reach Kakolat.

By RoadKakolat has a good road network because it is located on NH-31 that connects it with some of the major cities of Bihar and India.