: Nalanda :
Nalanda, a part of the Budhist circuit, is famous for the the ancient International Monastic University. Established in 5th century BC by the Gupta Emperors, it was a famous learning centres in ancient times. The university had centres for studies in Buddhism, Vedas, Logic, Grammar, Medicine, Meta-Physics, Prose Composition and Rhetoric. Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira have also taught here. The university library had a mammoth collection of 9 million volumes. The university remains are scattered around an area of 15 hectares. Though a large part of the university has been explored, a huge portion remains unexcavated. It is believed that the university could accommodate 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers easily.
Hsuan Tsang, the renowned Chinese traveler was also involved with the university foe 12 years. There is a monument built here in his memory. In 12th century AD, the whole university complex was destroyed by Bakhtiar Khilji, a Turkish Invader. There is a museum where the rare collections of the glorious days can be seen. In 1951 an international center for Buddhist studies was founded. Another modern institution i the Nava Nalanda Mahavir Research Centre treasuring many rare manuscripts.
Hsuan Tsang, the renowned Chinese traveler was also involved with the university foe 12 years. There is a monument built here in his memory. In 12th century AD, the whole university complex was destroyed by Bakhtiar Khilji, a Turkish Invader. There is a museum where the rare collections of the glorious days can be seen. In 1951 an international center for Buddhist studies was founded. Another modern institution i the Nava Nalanda Mahavir Research Centre treasuring many rare manuscripts.
: Rajgir :
Rajgir just 15 kms from Nalanda is located the complex of temples and monasteries. The place is called Rajgir. It is one of the most important tourist places in India. Being located in a valley, Rajgir is a very scenic place. The small hill grit town is covered with lush green forest which add to the beauty of the place. Rajgir was the capital of the Magadh Mahajanpad (State) when Patliputra was not formed. In those days it was called Rajgrih. Rajgir or Rajgrih means the home of Royalty. This place has been associated with Lord Buddha and Buddhism. Buddha not only spent many years in Rajgir but also delivered sermons here and proselytized emperor Bimbisar at the Griddhakoota hill. The Jivekarmavan monastery was the favorite residence for Buddha. Even Bimbisar gave Venuvan Vihar to Buddha for his residence. It is said that it was at Rajgir that physician treated Buddha, Jivak after he was injured by his cousin Devdatta.
The teachings of Buddha was penned down at Rajgir and it was also the venue for the first Buddhist Council. Today Rajgir has come up as one of the most important pilgrimage for the Buddhist.Rajgir also has some very beautiful Hindu and Jain temples which attracts Hindus and Jains also to the place. Not only as a place for worship, Rajgir has come up as health and winter resort with its warm water ponds. These ponds are said to contain some medicinal properties which help in the cure of many skin diseases. The added attraction of Rajgir is the Ropeway which takes you uphill to the Shanti Stupa and Monasteries built by the Japanese Devotees on top of the Ratnagiri Hills.
The teachings of Buddha was penned down at Rajgir and it was also the venue for the first Buddhist Council. Today Rajgir has come up as one of the most important pilgrimage for the Buddhist.Rajgir also has some very beautiful Hindu and Jain temples which attracts Hindus and Jains also to the place. Not only as a place for worship, Rajgir has come up as health and winter resort with its warm water ponds. These ponds are said to contain some medicinal properties which help in the cure of many skin diseases. The added attraction of Rajgir is the Ropeway which takes you uphill to the Shanti Stupa and Monasteries built by the Japanese Devotees on top of the Ratnagiri Hills.
: Vaishali :
Vaishali today is a small village surrounded by banana and mango groves as well as rice fields. But excavations in the area have brought to light an impressive historical past. The epic Ramayana tells the story of the heroic King Vishal who ruled here. Historians maintain that one of the world's first democratic republics with an elected assembly of representatives flourished here in the 6th century B.C. in the time of the Vajjis and the Lichchavis. And while Pataliputra, capital of the Mauryas and the Guptas, held political sway over the Gangetic plain, Vaishali was the center for trade and industry.
Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and at Kolhua, close by, preached his last sermon. To commemorate the event, Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected one of his famous lion pillars here. A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha - Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event. Jainism, too, has its origins in Vaishali, for in 527 B.C., Lord Mahavir was born on the outskirts of the city, and lived in Vaishali till he was 22. Vaishali is then twice blessed and remains an important pilgrim center for both Buddhists and Jains, attracting also historians foraging for the past.
Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and at Kolhua, close by, preached his last sermon. To commemorate the event, Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected one of his famous lion pillars here. A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha - Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event. Jainism, too, has its origins in Vaishali, for in 527 B.C., Lord Mahavir was born on the outskirts of the city, and lived in Vaishali till he was 22. Vaishali is then twice blessed and remains an important pilgrim center for both Buddhists and Jains, attracting also historians foraging for the past.
: Sonepur :
The famed cattle fair is held at Sonepur, in Northern Bihar on the banks of the River Ganga. . It is one Of the Asia's largest cattle fair. The full moon day of the month of Kartik (November) is regarded as one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus. Sonepur situated on the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga and Gandak, has the reverence of a blessed ground and lasts for a fortnight.
In ancient times the Royal Rajahs and Nawabs used to camp here. The Sonepue Fair has unique and historical importance :A bath at the confluence and a visit to the Hariharnath temple here is the aim for thousands of devotees on the Kartika Purnima day. only one of its kind where a large number of elephants are sold. These are purchased mainly by forest departments. Apart from elephants, a large number of cattle and horses are also brought to the fair for sale. Various folk shows, games and jugglers can be seen in the fair.
In ancient times the Royal Rajahs and Nawabs used to camp here. The Sonepue Fair has unique and historical importance :A bath at the confluence and a visit to the Hariharnath temple here is the aim for thousands of devotees on the Kartika Purnima day. only one of its kind where a large number of elephants are sold. These are purchased mainly by forest departments. Apart from elephants, a large number of cattle and horses are also brought to the fair for sale. Various folk shows, games and jugglers can be seen in the fair.
: Kurkihar :
Kurkihar, a small village, is located at a distance of 22 km from Gaya, a little ahead of the village of Wazirganj. The village sits atop a mound that was earlier a Buddhist monastery. In the year 1930, the village shot into limelight when 148 bronze artefacts were unearthed from this mound. These artefacts included a range buddhas, bodhisattvas, stupas, bells and ritual objects. Today, these artefacts adorn the shelves of a special room in the Patna Museum. Quiet a lot of stone sculptures dug out from Kurkihar are also kept in the Indian Museum in Kolkata.
However, this does not mean that there is nothing of significance to see in this small village itself. There are two Hindu temples here,out of which one still preserves a commendable collection of Buddhist sculptures discovered from the area.Prominent amongst these is the exquisite statue of Akshobhya Buddha which stands just outside the entrance of the temple. Also, instantly noticeable are the fourteen carved pillars that date back to the 9th century Around 3 miles from the village, at Punwan, there are a lot more of Buddhist relics to be seen. However, unfortunately, they have not been preserved well and much of it has been destroyed by the digging activities of the villagers. Also, a temple by the name of Triloknath, which once existed there has been carried away for the bricks.
However, this does not mean that there is nothing of significance to see in this small village itself. There are two Hindu temples here,out of which one still preserves a commendable collection of Buddhist sculptures discovered from the area.Prominent amongst these is the exquisite statue of Akshobhya Buddha which stands just outside the entrance of the temple. Also, instantly noticeable are the fourteen carved pillars that date back to the 9th century Around 3 miles from the village, at Punwan, there are a lot more of Buddhist relics to be seen. However, unfortunately, they have not been preserved well and much of it has been destroyed by the digging activities of the villagers. Also, a temple by the name of Triloknath, which once existed there has been carried away for the bricks.
:: Pawapuri :
Pawapuri is located at a distance of 38 kilometers away from Rajgir. While Rajgir and Nalanda are major Buddhist pilgrim destinations, Pawapuri is a holy place for Jains. Nalanda is just 90 kilometers away from Pawapuri and easily accessible. Pawapuri is also a part of an ambitious tourism promotion project by tourism ministry of India.Pawapuri is sacred for Jain followers for the reason that Lord Mahavira, the twenty fourth tirthankar, attained salvation here. He was cremated at Pawapuri, popularly known as Apapuri which in Jain literature is indicative of sinless town. Mahavira had become a living legend and quite popular among masses and when he was cremated at Apapuri, people started taking the ash left in his pyre. According to legends, this resulted into a deep pond at that place.
The same pond houses a marble made Jain temple called Jalmandir. Jalmandir is a popular tourist destination. Built in circular shape, the Jalmandir rises in slow steps and there are various terraces in it. The temple enshrines the footsteps of Lord Mahavira, the last tirthankara. Pawapuri is also the place where Lord Mahavira delivered his last sermon to his disciples before going to Nirvana. Historically, Pawapuri was a part of the Magadh Empire and was a center of learning and religious activities. While Bimbisar patronized Buddhism, Ajatshatru the famous king of Magadh patronized Jainism. Ajatshatru was a staunch follower of Mahavir Jain and he helped latters message spreading among masses of India. Other than Jalmandir, there are some other temples dedicated to Lord Mahavira and one of them is Samosaran temple, a major tourist attraction among Jains.
The same pond houses a marble made Jain temple called Jalmandir. Jalmandir is a popular tourist destination. Built in circular shape, the Jalmandir rises in slow steps and there are various terraces in it. The temple enshrines the footsteps of Lord Mahavira, the last tirthankara. Pawapuri is also the place where Lord Mahavira delivered his last sermon to his disciples before going to Nirvana. Historically, Pawapuri was a part of the Magadh Empire and was a center of learning and religious activities. While Bimbisar patronized Buddhism, Ajatshatru the famous king of Magadh patronized Jainism. Ajatshatru was a staunch follower of Mahavir Jain and he helped latters message spreading among masses of India. Other than Jalmandir, there are some other temples dedicated to Lord Mahavira and one of them is Samosaran temple, a major tourist attraction among Jains.
: Kakolat :
Kakolat is situated on a beautiful hill named Kakolat Hill. Although every inch of Kakolat Hill offers a panoramic view of the beauty of nature, the sweet springs of Kakolat are true bliss. Kakolat is located some 30 km from the city of Nawada. It is an increasingly popular tourist attraction in Bihar, and many people visit this unique spot for summer time weekend picnics. The water here falls from 150 to 160 feet height.
It is surrounded by lush green forests, which add to its beauty.Legend has it that a Treta Yug king was cursed by a Hindu seer to take the shape of a python and live at the falls here. The place was visited by the Pandavas during their exile. It was during that time that the python king got rid of the curse, and he proclaimed that any person who bathed in the waterfall would never be reborn as a snake.
It is surrounded by lush green forests, which add to its beauty.Legend has it that a Treta Yug king was cursed by a Hindu seer to take the shape of a python and live at the falls here. The place was visited by the Pandavas during their exile. It was during that time that the python king got rid of the curse, and he proclaimed that any person who bathed in the waterfall would never be reborn as a snake.
: Deoghar :
Deoghar (the house of Gods) is a center of peace and harmony that features many socio-cultural and industrial centers. It is a popular health resort and an important Hindu pilgrimage. The ancient temple of "Baba Baidyanath" one of the twelve jyotirlingas in India is located here, a place believed to be the route that Lord Shiva traveled on his way to Sri Lanka.Treasures of Deoghar: Nandan Hills, Navlakha temple, Mahadev Falls, Kundeswari Temple, Nav Durga Temple, Satsang Ashram, Tapovan (10 km), Trikut Hills (17 km).
Baidyanath Dham is situated in the Santhal Pargana of Jharkhand. Kamana Linga of Lord Shiva is situated here. Every monsoon (in the month of Shravan) countless devotees undertake a rigorous 100 km pilgrimage on foot from Ajgaibinath (Sultanganj) to offer holy water to Baba Baidyanath. The pilgrimage is deemed complete with homage paid at Basukinath, almost 43 km from Deoghar. Within the precincts of the main temple, there are 12 other temples, dedicated to different Gods, including Lord Mahadeva.
Baidyanath Dham is situated in the Santhal Pargana of Jharkhand. Kamana Linga of Lord Shiva is situated here. Every monsoon (in the month of Shravan) countless devotees undertake a rigorous 100 km pilgrimage on foot from Ajgaibinath (Sultanganj) to offer holy water to Baba Baidyanath. The pilgrimage is deemed complete with homage paid at Basukinath, almost 43 km from Deoghar. Within the precincts of the main temple, there are 12 other temples, dedicated to different Gods, including Lord Mahadeva.
: Parasnath :
Every year thousands of Jain pilgrims visit this place and on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti , the Parasnath temple seems to be a crowded fair. Apart from Parasnath temple, there are many more Jain temples belonging to Digambers and Svetambers, which too attract lots of tourists every year.The 24 temples, each dedicated to each one of the Jain Tirthankaras, stand at an altitude of 1,366 m. Parasnath, the 23rd Tirthankar, achieved nirvana at this spot. It is 300 km by road from Calcutta, and Dhanbad is the nearest large town with hotels.Towering 1000m above the plains, beside the Calcutta-Gaya railway line 30km west of Dhanbad, the cliff of Parasnath is rendered holy to Jains by its association with the life of Mahavira. It is covered with dense forests, where Jain belief has it that even the tigers are vegetarians in the forest.Parasnath temple is located on the westernmost, highest summit. Pilgrims, on foot or carried on palanquins, follow a trail that winds its way up from the village of Madhuban.Parasnath is said to have achieved nirvana here.
