'Rajgir' is a city and a notified area in
Nalanda district in the
Indian
state of
Bihar.
The city of Rajgir (ancient Rajagriha or RÄjagá¹›ha;
Pali: RÄjagaha) was the first capital of the kingdom of
Magadha, a state that would eventually evolve into the
Mauryan Empire. Its date of origin is unknown, although ceramics dating to about 1000 BC have been found in the city. The epic
Mahabharata calls it Girivraja and recounts the story of its king, Jarasandha, and his battle with the
Pandava brothers and their allies
Krishna. It is also mentioned in
Buddhist and
Jain scriptures, which give a series of place-names, but without geographical context. The attempt to locate these places is based largely on reference to them and to other locations in the works of
Chinese Buddhist pilgrims, particularly
Faxian and
Xuanzang. It is on the basis of
Xuanzang in particular that the site is divided into Old and New Rajgir. The former lies within a valley and is surrounded by low-lying hills. It is defined by an earthen embankment (the Inner Fortification), with which is associated the Outer Fortification, a complex of
cyclopean walls that runs (with large breaks) along the crest of the hills. New Rajgir is defined by another, larger, embankment outside the northern entrance of the valley and next to the modern town. The sources do not agree which of the
Buddha's royal contemporaries,
Bimbisara and
Ajatashatru, was responsible for its construction.
Ajatashatru is also credited with moving the capital to
Pataliputra (modern
Patna).
This place has been associated with both the historical
Buddha and
Mahavira. Rajgir has also developed as a health and winter resort due to its warm water ponds. These
baths are said to contain some medicinal properties that help in the cure of many skin diseases. The added attraction of Rajgir is the Ropeway that leads uphill to the Shanti Stupa and Monasteries built by the Japanese Devotees of the Buddha on top of the Ratnagiri hills.
One may visit Rajgir from
Patna. Another way is to come via
Begusarai junction or
Mokameh, after arriving by train in an overnight journey from
Kolkata. Rajgir is a diversion from somewhere midway on the
Barauniand Patna highway. It is located in a verdant valley surrounded by rocky hills. Recently
Indian Railways have started trains from Rajgir to Kolkata and
Delhi.
History
Rajgir, which means 'house of the king', was the ancient capital city of the
Magadha kings until the 5th century BC when
Ajatashatru moved the capital to
Pataliputra. In those days, it was called Rajgrih, which translates as ‘the home of Royalty’.
Jarasandha who hailed from this place had defeated
Krishna 18 times because of which Krishna is also called 'ranchhod' (person who runs away from fight). Mahabharata recounts a wrestling match between
Bhima, one of the pandavas, and Jarasandha, the then king of Rajgir. Jarasandha was invincible as his body could rejoin any dismembered limbs. According to the legend, Bhim split Jarasandha into two and threw the two halves facing opposite to each other so that they could not join. There is a famous Jarasandha's Akhara(place where you practice martial arts).
It is sacred to the memory of the founders of both the religions:
Buddhism and
Jainism. It was here that Gautam
Buddha spent several months meditating, and preaching at Griddhkuta, (‘Hill of the Vultures'). He also delivered some of his famous sermons and converted King Bimbisara of Magadha and countless others to his religion.
Rajgir is also famous for its association with
Shishunaga Kings
Bimbisara and
Ajatashatru. Ajatashatru kept his father Bimbsara in captivitiy here.
On one of the hills is the cave of Saptparni where the
First Buddhist Council was held under the leadership of
Maha Kassapa. The Saptparni cave is also the source of the Rajgir Hot Water Springs that have curative properties and are sacred to the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Today an aerial ropeway provides the link with a hilltop stupa "Peace Pagoda" built by the Japanese.
Lord
Mahavira spent fourteen years of his life at Rajgir and Nalanda, spending ''chaturmas'' (i.e. 4 months of the rainy season) at a single place in Rajgir (Rajgruhi) and the rest in the places in the vicinity. It was the capital of his favourite ''shishya'' (follower) king Shrenik. Thus Rajgir is a very important religious place for
Jains also.
Geography
Rajgir is located at
[1]. It has an average elevation of 73
metres (239
feet).
Places to visit
Sites of ancient Buddhist monasteries
Gridhakuta (Vulture's Peak)
Vulture's Peak, view from a nearby hill
The hill is listed in
Buddhist canonical texts as one of the places stayed in by the
Buddha when at Rajgir; and several notable events, including an attempt on his life by his evil cousin
Devadatta occurred there. The
Mahayana tradition goes further; a number of its major texts, most famously the
Lotus Sutra, were supposedly delivered as sermons there. As such, it ia a major destinations for pilgrims in both ancient and modern times. Described both by
Faxian and
Xuanzang it was identified in the later nineteenth century as a hill lying to the east of Old Rajgir. It is now crowned by the Japanese-built ''Shanti
Stupa'' and has a
chairlift to the top.
Pipphali House or Cave
This is a place mentioned in the
Pali Canon. It is where
Maha Kassapa is recorded to have stayed a few times, once he was ill there. Maha Kassappa stayed at the cave, but also there was a house with the same name nearby.
Venuvana
Bimbisara gave a bamboo grove (
Venuvana) to
Lord Buddha, which was the first Buddhist monastery ever. It was given to Buddha so that he and his
monks could take rest here, and give discourses to people.
Karand Tank, Maniyar Math, Swarnabhandar Cave, Pippala Cave, Viswa Shanti Stupa, the famous Hot Water Springs and ruins of an Old Fort, 40 km long and 12 ft wide 2,500 year old cyclopean walls.
Jivakarama
Remains of the monastery called Jivakambavana
, the greatest physician of Buddha's time, was from Rajgir. He donated a monastery to Buddha, called the Jivakarama.
Tapodarama
The Tapodarama Monastery was located on the site of the hot springs. Now a Hindu temple is constructed there, called the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir. In ancient times, hot springs used to be the site of the
Tapodarama, a Buddhist monastery at the time of
Gautama Buddha. Also King
Bimbisara used to take his bath there sometimes.
Saptaparni Cave
The cave of Saptparni is where the
First Buddhist Council was held under the leadership of
Maha Kassapa. Also Buddha sometimes stayed there, and it was used as an accommodation for visiting monks.
Hindu Sites
Jarasandha Ka Akhara
The great albeit evil warrior whose relentless attacks on Mathura prompted Lord Krishna to migrate the populace of Mathura to Dwarika, used to practice martial arts here every day.
Lakshmi Narayan Mandir
Hindu Devotees bathing in the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir
The pink-hued Hindu temple called the
Lakshmi Narayan Mandir has within its grounds the ancient hot springs. The temple is (as the name indicates), dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort, Goddess Lakshmi. In more ancient times, hot springs used to be the site of the
Tapodarama, a Buddhist monastery at the time of
Gautama Buddha. Also King
Bimbisara used to take his bath there sometimes.
Originally a dip in the pond was the only means of experiencing the hot springs, but now at a higher level the spring has been tapped and flows out through several ceramic pipes set into the wall in a hall, where people can sit under it and have the water run over them.
Strangely enough, Muslims are not allowed to enter the hot spring bath.
ref
Other places
Other archaeological sites including:
# the Karnada Tank where Lord Buddha used to bathe
# the Maniyar Math that dates from the 1st century CE
# the Maraka Kukshi where the still unborn Ajatashatru was cursed as a patricide
# the Rannbhumi where Bhima and Jarasandh fought one of the Mahabharat battles.
# Swarnabhandar Cave
# Viswa Shanti Stupa
# Ruins of an Old Fort
# 40 km long and 12 ft wide 2500 year old cyclopean walls.
Ancient Chariot tracks
The Chariot Route and shell inscriptions are worth a visit for the strangeness of the phenomenon. The chariot tracks consist of two parallel furrows cut deep into the rock for about thirty feet, possibly by the large quantity of chariots that came to deliver goods to Rajgir.
The local belief is that they were "burnt" into the rock by the speed and power of Lord Krishna's chariot when he entered the city of Rajgir during the epic
Mahabharata times. Several shell inscriptions, the un-deciphered characters current in central and eastern India from the 1st to the 5th centuries CE, are engraved in the rock around the chariot marks.
Bimbisara's Jail
Bimbisara's jail
In the middle of the valley is the ruin of a circular structure with turrets at each corner. Bimbisara was imprisoned by his son Ajatashatru, but could continue to see Gridhakuta and the
Buddha through a window. The fact that the hill can be seen from the structure, and its military appearance, led to its present label after being discovered in 1914. It could also be (because of its shape and the turrets) a
Buddhist monastery of the first millennium AD.
Picture Gallery
Weather
Temperature: maximum 40 °C, minimum 20 °C. Winter: maximum 28 °C, minimum 6 °C
Rainfall: 1,860 mm (mid-June to mid-September)
Best season: October to March
Traveling to Rajgir
Air: The nearest airport is Patna (107 km).
Rail: Rajgir is now connected by Rail with Patna.
Road: Rajgir is connected by road to Patna, Gaya, Delhi and Calcutta.
The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation organises trips to Rajgir, Nalanda, etc. from its headquarter i.e. Tourist Bhawan, Beer Chand Patel Path Patna 800001. Tel: 0612-225411, FAX: 0612-236218. Air Conditioned and Non-Air Conditioned cars, mini deluxe coaches, and deluxe coaches are also available.
Demographics
As of 2001 India
census[2], Rajgir had a population of 33,691. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Rajgir has an average literacy rate of 52%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 61%, and female literacy is 41%. In Rajgir, 19% of the population is under 6 years of age.
References
1. Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Rajgir
2.
External links
★
Department of Tourism - Rajgir
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