Rajgir

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Rajgir | type = city | skyline = Rajgir Stupa and Monks.jpg
skyline_caption = Japanese Budhist Monks at Rajgir's Stupa
latd = 25.03 | longd = 85.42
locator_position = right | state_name = Bihar
district = Nalanda
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altitude = 73
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 33,691| population_density =
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area_telephone =
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Rajgir is a city and a notified area in Nalanda district in the Indian state of Bihar.The city of Rajgir (ancient Rajagriha or Rājagṛha; Pali: Rājagaha) was the first capital of the kingdom of Magadha, a state that would eventually evolve into the Mauryan Empire. Its date of origin is unknown, although ceramics dating to about 1000 BC have been found in the city.

The epic Mahabharata calls it Girivraja and recounts the story of its king, Jarasandha, and his battle with the Pandava brothers and their allies Krishna. It is also mentioned in Buddhist and Jain scriptures, which give a series of place-names, but without geographical context. The attempt to locate these places is based largely on reference to them and to other locations in the works of Chinese Buddhist pilgrims, particularly Faxian and Xuanzang. It is on the basis of Xuanzang in particular that the site is divided into Old and New Rajgir. The former lies within a valley and is surrounded by low-lying hills. It is defined by an earthen embankment (the Inner Fortification), with which is associated the Outer Fortification, a complex of cyclopean walls that runs (with large breaks) along the crest of the hills. New Rajgir is defined by another, larger, embankment outside the northern entrance of the valley and next to the modern town. The sources do not agree which of the Buddha's royal contemporaries, Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, was responsible for its construction. Ajatashatru is also credited with moving the capital to Pataliputra (modern Patna).

This place has been associated with both the historical Buddha and Mahavira. Rajgir has also developed as a health and winter resort due to its warm water ponds. These baths are said to contain some medicinal properties that help in the cure of many skin diseases. The added attraction of Rajgir is the Ropeway that leads uphill to the Shanti Stupa and Monasteries built by the Japanese Devotees of the Buddha on top of the Ratnagiri hills.

One may visit Rajgir from Patna. Another way is to come via Begusarai junction or Mokameh, after arriving by train in an overnight journey from Kolkata. Rajgir is a diversion from somewhere midway on the Barauni and Patna highway. It is located in a verdant valley surrounded by rocky hills. Recently Indian Railways have started trains from Rajgir to Kolkata and Delhi.

History

Rajgir, which means 'house of the king', was the ancient capital city of the Magadha kings until the 5th century BC when Ajatashatru moved the capital to Pataliputra. In those days, it was called Rajgrih, which translates as 'the home of Royalty'.

Jarasandha who hailed from this place had been defeated by Krishna 17 times. The 18th time Krishna left the battlefield without fighting [ See Bhagavata Purana, 10.70.30] . Because of this Krishna is also called 'ranacora' (one who has left the battlefield) [http://www.krsnabook.com/ch52.html] . Mahabharata recounts a wrestling match between Bhima, one of the pandavas, and Jarasandha, the then king of Rajgir. Jarasandha was invincible as his body could rejoin any dismembered limbs. According to the legend, Bhim split Jarasandha into two and threw the two halves facing opposite to each other so that they could not join. There is a famous Jarasandha's Akhara(place where you practice martial arts).

It is sacred to the memory of the founders of both the religions: Buddhism and Jainism. It was here that Gautam Buddha spent several months meditating, and preaching at Griddhkuta, ('Hill of the Vultures'). He also delivered some of his famous sermons and converted King Bimbisara of Magadha and countless others to his religion.

Rajgir is also famous for its association with Shishunaga Kings Bimbisara and Ajatashatru. Ajatashatru kept his father Bimbsara in captivitiy here.

On one of the hills is the cave of Saptparni where the First Buddhist Council was held under the leadership of Maha Kassapa. The Saptparni cave is also the source of the Rajgir Hot Water Springs that have curative properties and are sacred to the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Today an aerial ropeway provides the link with a hilltop stupa "Peace Pagoda" built by the Japanese.

Lord Mahavira spent fourteen years of his life at Rajgir and Nalanda, spending "chaturmas" (i.e. 4 months of the rainy season) at a single place in Rajgir (Rajgruhi) and the rest in the places in the vicinity. It was the capital of his favourite "shishya" (follower) king Shrenik. Thus Rajgir is a very important religious place for Jains also.

Geography

Rajgir is located at coord|25.03|N|85.42|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/34/Rajgir.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Rajgir] ] . It has an average elevation of 73 metres (239 ft).

Places to visit

ites of ancient Buddhist monasteries

Gridhakuta (Vulture's Peak)

The hill is listed in Buddhist canonical texts as one of the places stayed in by the Buddha when at Rajgir; and several notable events, including an attempt on his life by his evil cousin Devadatta occurred there. The Mahayana tradition goes further; a number of its major texts, most famously the Lotus Sutra, were supposedly delivered as sermons there. As such, it is a major destinations for pilgrims in both ancient and modern times. Described both by Faxian and Xuanzang it was identified in the later nineteenth century as a hill lying to the east of Old Rajgir. It is now crowned by the Japanese-built "Shanti Stupa" and has a chairlift to the top.

Pipphali House or Cave

This is a place mentioned in the Pali Canon. It is where Maha Kassapa is recorded to have stayed a few times, once he was ill there. Maha Kassappa stayed at the cave, but also there was a house with the same name nearby.

Venuvana

Bimbisara gave a bamboo grove (Venuvana) to Lord Buddha, which was the first Buddhist monastery ever. It was given to Buddha so that he and his monks could take rest here, and give discourses to people.

Karand Tank, Maniyar Math, Swarnabhandar Cave, Pippala Cave, Viswa Shanti Stupa, the famous Hot Water Springs and ruins of an Old Fort, 40 km long and convert|12|ft|m|abbr=on wide 2,500 year old cyclopean walls.

Jivakarama

Jivaka, the greatest physician of Buddha's time, was from Rajgir. He donated a monastery to Buddha, called the Jivakarama.

Tapodarama

The Tapodarama Monastery was located on the site of the hot springs. Now a Hindu temple is constructed there, called the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir. In ancient times, hot springs used to be the site of the Tapodarama, a Buddhist monastery at the time of Gautama Buddha. Also King Bimbisara used to take his bath there sometimes.

aptaparni Cave

The cave of Saptparni is where the First Buddhist Council was held under the leadership of Maha Kassapa. Also Buddha sometimes stayed there, and it was used as an accommodation for visiting monks.

Hindu Sites

Jarasandha Ka Akhara

The great albeit evil warrior whose relentless attacks on Mathura prompted Lord Krishna to migrate the populace of Mathura to Dwarika, used to practice martial arts here every day.

Lakshmi Narayan Mandir

The pink-hued Hindu temple called the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir has within its grounds the ancient hot springs. The temple is (as the name indicates), dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort, Goddess Lakshmi. In more ancient times, hot springs used to be the site of the Tapodarama, a Buddhist monastery at the time of Gautama Buddha. Also King Bimbisara used to take his bath there sometimes.

Originally a dip in the pond was the only means of experiencing the hot springs, but now at a higher level the spring has been tapped and flows out through several ceramic pipes set into the wall in a hall, where people can sit under it and have the water run over them.

Other places

Other archaeological sites including:
# the Karnada Tank where Lord Buddha used to bathe
# the Maniyar Math that dates from the 1st century CE
# the Maraka Kukshi where the still unborn Ajatashatru was cursed as a patricide
# the Rannbhumi where Bhima and Jarasandh fought one of the Mahabharat battles.
# Swarnabhandar Cave
# Viswa Shanti Stupa
# Ruins of an Old Fort
# 40 km long and convert|12|ft|m|abbr=on wide 2500 year old cyclopean walls.

Ancient Chariot tracks

The Chariot Route and shell inscriptions are worth a visit for the strangeness of the phenomenon. The chariot tracks consist of two parallel furrows cut deep into the rock for about thirty feet, possibly by the large quantity of chariots that came to deliver goods to Rajgir.

The local belief is that they were "burnt" into the rock by the speed and power of Lord Krishna's chariot when he entered the city of Rajgir during the epic Mahabharata times. Several shell inscriptions, the un-deciphered characters current in central and eastern India from the 1st to the 5th centuries CE, are engraved in the rock around the chariot marks.

Bimbisara's Jail

In the middle of the valley is the ruin of a circular structure with turrets at each corner. Bimbisara was imprisoned by his son Ajatashatru, but could continue to see Gridhakuta and the Buddha through a window. The fact that the hill can be seen from the structure, and its military appearance, led to its present label after being discovered in 1914. It could also be (because of its shape and the turrets) a Buddhist monastery of the first millennium ADFact|date=April 2007.

Picture Gallery

* [http://www.budhaonline.com/cpg/index.php?cat=9 Rajgir Photo Gallery 150+ Photographs]

Weather

Temperature: maximum 40 °C, minimum 20 °C. Winter: maximum 28 °C, minimum 6 °C
Rainfall: 1,860 mm (mid-June to mid-September)
Best season: October to March

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Rajgir had a population of 33,691. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Rajgir has an average literacy rate of 52%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 61%, and female literacy is 41%. In Rajgir, 19% of the population is under 6 years of age.

References

External links

* [http://bihar.nic.in/Depts/Tourism/Rajgir.htm Department of Tourism - Rajgir]