East India · Bihar
Rajgir, Bihar
Sources: wikimedia
Before you go
The Buddha's rainy-season city and the Jain Mahavira's too, beside the ruins of Nalanda university; a natural pairing with Bodh Gaya.
About Rajgir
- Hills
Where it is
Rajgir is a town in Nalanda district of Bihar, set in a green valley ringed by five rocky hills, about 12 km south of the ruins of Nalanda and some 110 km by road south-east of Patna.
History
As Rajagriha, Rajgir was the first capital of the Magadha kingdom under Bimbisara and Ajatashatru in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE. The Buddha often stayed and taught here, the First Buddhist Council met at the Saptaparni cave after his death, and Mahavira spent many rainy seasons in the town, so it is sacred to both Buddhists and Jains; the capital later moved to Pataliputra.
People
Rajgir's people speak Magahi and Hindi, and the town lives from farming, pilgrims and visitors to Nalanda. Buddhist monks, Jain pilgrims and Hindu bathers at the hot springs share its streets, and the Rajgir Mahotsav celebrates the region's music and dance.
Known for
- Vishwa Shanti Stupa and the Ratnagiri ropeway
- Griddhakuta, or Vulture Peak
- Hot springs at Brahmakund
- Venuvana, the bamboo grove
- The ruins of Nalanda nearby
Did you know?
Remains of Rajgir's ancient cyclopean wall, built of massive undressed stones, still run for kilometres along the ridges of the surrounding hills.
Shrines and sites
- Vishwa Shanti Stupa on Ratnagiri
- Griddhakuta
- Nalanda ruins
- Hot springs at Brahmakund
Traditions
- Buddhist
- Jain
- Hindu
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.