Literally meaning "The Royal Palace", Rajgir lies south of Patna, the capital of Bihar. It is said that it was here at the Grihkuta Hills that the Buddha gave many enlightened sermons. It was also here that, for the first time, the preaching of the Buddha were recorded and written. Visitors can approach the hill by an aerial ropeway, on which the Japanese have built a beautiful Stupa.

Nearby is the Bimbisara Jail of the 5th-6th Century BC., from where the Mauryan King Bimbisara used to watch the Buddha climb the hill on his way to do his meditation; the Ajata Shatru Fort and the sculpture depicting the Parinirvana, or the great cessation, of the Buddha. Other important sites are the Saptadhara-the hot springs with healing powers; Karanda Tank-bathing place of the Buddha; Jivaka's Mango Grove-house of an ardent Buddhist; and Venuvan Vihara-the residence built by King Bimbisara for Buddha.

   PLACES OF INTEREST

BODDHGAYA    SANCHI    VAISHALI    AJANTA/ELLORA

LUMBINI RAJGIR SARNATH

KUSINARA NALANDA KAPILVASTU

SANKISA KAUSHAMBI SRAVASTHI