Complete Route Guide to Visit Rajgir | Best Route to Explore Rajgir

It is located in the Indian state of Bihar, about 60 km southeast of the capital, Patna. Rajgir is known for its rock-cut caves, forts, Buddhist ruins, shell inscriptions, Hindu and Jain temples, and Muslim tombs. The place is well connected by railways and roads to the eastern parts of Bihar and India. So if you are planning to visit this underrated place to visit we are going to proving a guide to visit Rajgir: 

Best Guide to Explore Rajgir, Bihar, India 

History

history

Rajgir used to be the capital of the kingdom of the former Magadh Empire and was known by various names like Vasumati, Barhdrathpura, Girivraja, Kusagrapura, and Rajgriha. The great Hindu epic Ramayana says that the son of the mythical king Vasu, Lord Brahma, founded this city and named it Vasumati. According to the Mahabharata, Jarasandha, who was killed by Bhima in a duel, ruled this area and his capital was Barhdrathpura. Although nothing is known about other names Kusagrapura, Girivraja, and Rajgriha, they are regularly mentioned in Buddhist and Jain texts. The last Rajgriha is where the current name Rajgir comes from. During the sixth century, Rajgir was the capital of the mighty Magadha kingdom. It was also the center of great religious and spiritual activity. The Buddha visited this city several times and remained here for a considerable time to further disseminate his teachings. Jain texts, on the other hand, say that their last apostle, Mahavira, spent 14 rainy seasons in Rajgir and Nalanda. Muni Suvrata, the predecessor of Lord Mahavira and the center of the Ajivika sect, was also born here.

Suggested Read: Best Places to See in Rajgir

Tourists Attractions in Rajgir

Tourists Attractions in Rajgir

Rajgir, although small in area, is an important place of pilgrimage for one of India’s great religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Each of these religions has places of pilgrimage in the city.

• On the Vaibhava Hill are the Saptaparni Caves, where the first Buddhist Synod was held. Saptaparni Cave is also the source of Rajgir hot sulfur springs, which have healing properties and are sacred to Hindus.
• From the foot of Mount Vaibhava, stairs lead up to various temples. Separate baths have been organized for men and women, and the water comes from the outflows through the Saptadhara or seven streams, which are believed to find the source behind the Saptaparni Caves in the mountains. The hottest of the springs is Brahmakund at 45 ° C.
• At the apex of the Griddhakuta or the Vultures, the Buddha started the wheel of the second law and preached to his disciples about it for three months each year during the rainy season. The Japanese Buddha Sangh built a huge, modern stupa, the Shanti (peace) stupa, at the top of the hill. You can climb to the top on a bridle, but the airlift is much more exciting.
• Built in the sixth century BC, Ajatshatru Fortress is about six km from Rajgir Train Station. It was a fortress. It is also located here in Bimbisara Prison, where legend has it that he was imprisoned in Ajatshatru.
• Above the hot springs on Vaibhava Hill is a rectangular stone carved by natural forces and appears to have been used as a watchtower. It later became a resort for hermits and is commonly known as Jarasandha Ki Baithak by the name of King Jarasandha, a contemporary of Lord Krishna’s contemporary as described in the Mahabharata epic.
• Swarna Gufa is about six km from the train station. It is believed that a gold treasure is still hiding here. It is said that if one could decipher the inscription engraved here, the doors of the golden vaults would open.

Places Around Rajgir

Places Around Rajgir

Bodh Gaya, the place where the Buddha became enlightened, is about 34 km from Rajgir and is connected by a good road network. The most important tourist attractions can be found here: the Maha Bodhi temple, the place where the Buddha was enlightened under a pipe, and the monasteries built by various Buddhist countries. Nalanda, a resort of saints and ascetics, is twelve kilometers from Rajgir. It was made a university in the 5th century AD and has remained the largest seat of learning for more than 700 years. Pawapuri is about 35 km from Rajgir and is believed to be the place where Lord Mahavira died. Patna, the capital of Bihor and a great historic town, is located about 60 km northeast of Rajgir. 

Fairs & Festivals

Fairs & Festivals

Rajgir Mahotsav is held every year from 24 to 26 October. During the festival, classical dance, folk dance, music, and art performances are organized.

Malamasa Melat is celebrated every three years in Rajgir and a large fair is held here. According to the Indian calendar, every third year there are 13 months called Malamasa.

Another festival typical of Rajgir is the Makar Sankranti Mela, held on the last day of the lunar calendar month of Paus in mid-January. By the hot springs, devotees offer flowers to the deities of the temples and bathe in the holy water.

Read More: Popular Waterfalls in India

Best Time To Visit

Best Time To Visit

Rajgir’s climate, like the rest of the Gangetic plain, is extraordinary. The summer months from April to July are warm and humid here, with average temperatures reaching 45 ° C and relative humidity rising to around 80%. The winter is cold, with an average night temperature of around 10 ° C. Normally the average temperature remains around 20 ° C. The monsoon will affect this region in July / August and will last until September.

How To Reach Rajgir

How To Reach Rajgir

By Air: Rajgir is the nearest airport to Patna. There are regular flights from the airport to Delhi, Calcutta, Varanasi, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Kathmandu. The nearest international airport is Kolkata.

By Rail: Rajgir is located on one of the sidings of the Eastern Railway and there are daily trains to Patna and other nearby locations.

By Road: Buses run regularly from Patna, Nalanda, Gaya, and Bodhgaya to Rajgir. We can arrange guided tour packages to Rajgirba from Patna. 

Hope you received a brief and easy idea about the complete guide to visit Rajgir in India and the added duration and cost information that might have helped you, to manage your schedules and budget according to your trips. There are more engaging and helpful blogs that can help you out with a lot of on-ground basic problems so visit our website or download our Adequate Travel app to win exciting offers over various trips and tour packages that will make your journey more efficient and pocket friendly. 

The post Complete Route Guide to Visit Rajgir | Best Route to Explore Rajgir appeared first on World Tour & Travel Guide, Get Travel Tips, Information, Discover Travel Destination | Adequate Travel.