Vaishali City Guide
Travel to Vaishali, an exotic destination in Bihar, encompassing few of the Buddhist Pilgrimage site. Discover the city as you plan to explore Vaishali on your tour. Plan your Vaishali tour and explore the fascinating aspect of the Bihar State.
Vaishali is a small village surrounded by banana, rice fields and mango groves, lies on the left bank of the Gandak river. It is a significant place of Bihar as it plays an important role of Buddhism and Jainism. The founder of Jainism, the Lord Mahavira is the 24th Tirthankara who was born and stayed for a considerable period of time at Vaishali. There are two stupas in Vaishali, which, according to Buddhist literature, enshrined Lord Buddha's ashes. Tour Vaishali, an incredible travel destination in Bihar which is surely a place to explore.
Vaishali, Bihar was also a rich center for trade and industry and is currently home to museums showcasing some of the archaeological remains discovered in the place. The sixth in the series of the Vishwa Shanti Stupas has been erected here as well on one side of the lake.
Places to See
Ashoka Pillar: Emperor Ashoka built The Lion Pillar at Kolhua. It is made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone, surmounted by a bell shaped capital, 18.3 m high. A life-size figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar. There is a small tank here known as Ramkund. This pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha's last sermon.
Budha Stupa-I: The exterior of this stupa which is now in a dilapidated condition has a plain surface. One eighth of the sacred ashes of the lord Buddha were enshrined here in a stone casket.
Budha Stupa-II: Excavation at this site in 1958 led to the discovery of another casket containing the ashes of the Lord Buddha.
Kundalpur: Birth place of Lord Mahavira. 4Km.It is believed that the Jain Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir was born over 2550 years ago. Mahavir is said to have spent the first 22 years of his life here.
Raja Vishal ka Garh: A huge mound with a circumference about one Kilometer and walls nearly 2 m high with a 43m wide moat around them, is said to be the ancient parliament house. Over seven thousand representatives of the federal assembly gathered here to legislate and discuss the problems of the day.
Shanti Stupa: On the south bank of the coronation tank, built by Buddha Vihar Society.
Xcursions from Vaishali
Vaishali is a part of Buddhist Circuit hence all the spots near Vaishali which are related with Buddhism form part of excursion of Vaishali. Many of the places included in Buddhist Circuit are located in vicinity of Vaishali such as:
Nalanda
Nalanda was the center of higher learning during ancient times. Founded in the fifth century AD, it housed more than ten thousand students and one thousand faculty members. Students from abroad came to study here. One of such students was Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese traveler, who wrote his travelogue which gives important information about the place. There were many Buddhist monasteries too at Nalanda and many were built during Mauryan king Ashoka's time. Now in ruins, Nalanda still attracts tourists for its historical relevance.
Pawapuri
Pawapuri is located 90 kilometers away from Gaya. Jain followers believe that visiting the place one can get rid of their sins. The place is significant for being the place where Mahavir Jain took his last breath. A popular Jain tale says that when Mahavir died at Pawapuri, people took away not only the ashes but also scooped out earth which resulted into a big pond. Pawapuri has a Jain temple called Jalamandir. Jalmandir is made in marble and is a major tourist attraction at Pawapuri.
Bodh Gaya
The place where Gautam Siddhartha earned enlightenment is Bodh Gaya. Bodh Gaya is just 34 kilometers away from Rajgir. Bodh Gaya houses Bodhi Tree, Mahabodhi Temple, and other religious places relevant for Buddhists. The Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya is not the original tree but a sapling of old tree brought from Sri Lanka. The Mahabodhi Temple enshrines the same Bodhi Tree. Lord Buddha's giant statue is a major attraction here at Bodh Gaya.
Gaya
Gaya is an important Hindu pilgrim destination and it is believed that “Pinda Dan” at Gaya makes ones ancestors soul rest in peace. Gaya is considered the most sacred spot for Hindus.
