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Rajgir Jain Temples, Rajgir Travel Information, Rajgir Pilgrimage, Temples Rajgir Bihar, Rajgir Travel Guide

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Jal Teerths - Rajgir - Introduction

Introduction

Image: 
Introduction: 
   
Rajgir is situated in the Nalanda district of Bihar, in a lush green valley surrounded by hills. This place is at a distance of 105 km from Patna.
    
Rajgir is famous for stone caves, ancient Shankh script, historical remains, and philosophies of various religions.
    
Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religious texts have referred to it by different names like Rishabhpur, Vasumati, Girivraj, Kshitipratishth, Kushagrapur etc.
    
Rajgir is also renowned as a centre for rehabilitation. The hot water springs and ponds have medicinal and curative properties. Those suffering from skin ailments visit here to get healed.
    
It is a sacred place for not only Buddhists and Jains, but holds equal significance for Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims.
   
Currently an arms factory is being built in Rajgir by the Government of India.
 

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
According to the Ramayan, the fourth son of Lord Brahma, Vasu, established this city by the name of Vasumati.
    
 Padm Puran and the Van-Parv of Mahabharat state that a bath here rids a human being of the sins of Brahm-hatya (killing a Brahmin).
      
According to the Vayu Puran, a bath in the Saraswati River is as virtuous as bathing in the Ganga for a year.
    
Hindu beliefs suggest that all the 330 million Gods and Goddesses visit here during the Purushottam / Adhik Maas (month).
    
According to Jainism, Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar gave his first sermon in Rajgir. In fact, he spent 14 chaturmas (4 monsoon-months) in Rajgir and Nalanda.
   
The Heenyan faith of Buddhists believes that Lord Buddha gave his first sermon here on the Griddhakoota Mountain (Vulture's Peak).
   
Buddha usually spent his Chaturmas (four months of a year) in Rajgir.
   
After Buddha’s Mahaparinirvan, the first Buddhist Sangiti (Council) headed by Mahakashyap was held in the Saptparni Caves of Rajgir. At this gathering, the disciples of Buddha - Anand and Upali - recited Sutta and Vinay, respectively.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
Archaeological evidences and religious texts suggest that the ancientness and importance of this city dates back to over 3000 years. Ramayan has referred to it as Vasumati, and the Mahabharat and the Puranas refer to it as Girivraj and Vrihadrathpur.
    
In the 6th century B.C., it was the capital of Magadh Mahajanpad (kingdom). During that period, it was ruled by King Bimbisar and Ajatshatru of the Haryak dynasty. It was a centre for philosophical views on materialism besides being a centre for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains.
    
Ashok visited this place in the third century B.C. (Maurya period) and probably died here. A stupa (pillar) of his can be seen here.
    
The place was visited by the Chinese traveller, Huan Tsang during the reign of Harshvardhan. He has referred to it as Kushagrapur, giving detailed accounts of it.
    
During the period of Delhi sultanate, noted Sufi Saint Maqdoom Sahab spent a long time over here. A pond bearing his name can be seen even today.
   
In the early years of the 16th century, the place was also visited by the first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanakdev.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
   
Hot water springs and ponds:
 
There are a number of hot water ponds and springs in this region of which most of them are a part of the Laxminarayan Temple. The water of Brahmakund is as hot as 45 degrees Centigrade. The water from these springs contain medicinal properties that help cure ailments.
    
Vishwa-Shanti Stupa:
 
Built by a Japanese Buddhist organisation and situated at the peak of Ratnagiri, the stupa can be reached by a 2200 feet rope-way. Also situated close by is the Griddhakoot Mountain where Buddha delivered his second Dhamma Chakra Pravartan.
    
Maniar Math:
 
This was probably a temple associated with the Naga sect. Archaeological excavations have unearthed animal skeletons and clay figurines.
    
Son Bhandar:
 
To the west of Maniar Math are 2 caves which are a part of Vaibhargiri. These were built by the Jain saint Vairdev. It is believed that an ancient treasure lies hidden here.
   
Saptparni Caves:
 
According to Buddhist beliefs, the first Buddhist Sangiti (Council) headed by Mahakashyap was held here. At this gathering, Suttapitak and Vinaypitak were for the first time recited by Anand and Upali, respectively.
   
Jain Temple:
 
Over 24 Jain temples can be seen spread over all the mountains of Rajgir. Huan Tsang has described about the presence of a large number of naked sadhus.
   
Bimbisar Karaagar (prison):
 
King Bimbisar of the Haryak dynasty was imprisoned here by his son Ajatshatru.
   
Tapovan:
 
Hot water springs and ponds are situated 14 km from Bimbisar Dwar. The place is flocked by a lot of people during Mal Maas (Adhik Maas). A number of idols associated with Jainism and Buddhism have been found here too. Jethian resident, Jagdish Singh mentions about the Yashodhara idol which has now been stolen.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Malmaas mela:
 
According to the Hindu calendar, every third year comprises of 13 months, the extra month being known as Malmaas or Adhikmaas. It is considered sacred and a huge fair is held here. On this occasion, it is customary to bathe in the hot water ponds, perform puja in temples, and offer donations to saints and beggars.
   
Makar Sankranti:
 
Every year on Makar Sankranti (14th January), bathing and puja takes place on a large scale. On this occasion sesame (til) sweets and chuda-dahi are eaten.
   
Rajgir Dance festival:
 
A 3-day dance and music festival is organised in October by Bihar State Tourism Department every year, which attracts participation from a large number of national level artists.
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Dharamshalas
 
 Digambar Jain Dharmshala  Rajgir
 Shwetambar Jain Dharmshala  Rajgir
 Anandibai Dharmshala  Rajgir
 Sundarshah Dharmshala  Rajgir
 Dhadharon ki Dharmshala  Rajgir
   
Hotels:
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Hotel Rajgir
 Address
 Rajgir
 Telephone
 +91 - 6112 - 255 266
   
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Hotel Rajlaxmi
 Address
 Rajgir
 Telephone
 +91 - 6112 - 255 005
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Sharda Hotel
 Address
 Rajgir
 Telephone
 +91 - 6112 - 255 201
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Hotel Mahalaxmi
 Address
 Rajgir
 Telephone
 +91 - 93348 05608
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Siddharth Hotel
 Address
 Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar-803116
 Telephone
 +91 - 6112 - 255 616
 Fax  +91 - 6112 - 255 352
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Centaur Hawk Hotel
 Address
 Rajgir - 803 116
 Telephone
 +91 - 6112 - 255 245/255 032 - 37
 Fax  +91 - 6112 - 255 231
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
 
Location
 
 Geographical  Location  Height  Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  338 metres  1860 cm
 25˚ N  85.5˚ E
   
 
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
 Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct   Nov    Dec
 Maximum   20  27  35  39  41  37  35  33  33  32  39  25
 Minimum  9  11  17  23  27  26  26  26  25  20  13  11
   
 
Important Informations
Rajgir is situated amidst hills like Vaibhargiri, Vipulagiri, Ratnagiri, Udaygiri, Shailgiri, and Sonagiri. Here, small but historical rivers like Saraswati and Banganga also flow.
The maximum temperature in summer is 40 degrees Centigrade and the minimum is 20 degrees, while that in the winter drops to 28 degrees and 6 degrees respectively.
The best time to visit Rajgir is winter (October to mid-March).
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
 STD Code
 06119
 Police Assistance
  Tel: +91 - 94318 22176
 Ambulance/Hospital    Rajkiya Hospital, Rajgir
 Currency  Exchange
 Bank of India, Village Ramchandrapur P.O., Bihar  Sharif,  Dist. Nalanda, Bihar - 803 101
 State Bank of India, Dharmshala Road, Rajgir,  Nalanda,  Bihar-816108
 Tel: +91 - 6112 - 255 243
 ATM Centre

 

  SBI, Main Branch, Bihar Sharif, Nalanda
 State Bank of India, Dharmshala Road, Rajgir,  Nalanda
 Post Office
 Head Post Office, Bihar Sharif, Dist. Nalanda
 Tel: +91 - 06112 - 281 822
 Tourist Office
  Bihar Tourism Information Centre, Mazrul-Haq Path,  Fraser Road, Patna
 Tel: +91 - 612 - 25295
 Caution note  Avoid entering dense forests due the danger of  naxalites.
   
 
Food
Lotus Restaurant (Hotel Hawk), Green Restaurant (Near Kund).
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf iconrajgir.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
- Patna
- Ranchi
- Gaya
- Kolkata
Railway: 
 Main Railway Stations  Station Code
 Patna  PNBE
 Gaya  GAYA
 Ranchi  RNC
 Jasidih  JSME
 Bihar Sharif  BEHS
 Bhagalpur  BGP
 Kolkata  CP
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Gaya  Patna  101 km
 Ranchi  189 km
 Kolkata  494 km
 Bihar Sharif  72 km
 Rajgir

 

  Patna  105 km
 Ranchi  225 km
 Deoghar  167km
 Bihar Sharif  67 km
 Deoghar  Kolkata  349 km
 patna  229 km
 Gaya  200 km
 Ranchi  264 km

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