Cyclopean Wall
Ancient site · Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar
It is the wall of Rajagriha, the Magadhan capital of Bimbisara and Ajatashatru in the Buddha's and...
A pre-Mauryan fortification of massive undressed stones fitted without mortar, running over the hill ridges around the old city. Bihar Tourism gives its length as over 40 km and width about 14 ft, with bastions at intervals; the Wikipedia Rajgir article says "almost 50 km-long" and dates it to about the 6th century BCE. Long stretches survive on the ridgelines, and the most-visited section is beside the Rajgir-Gaya road near the southern gate.
Plan your visit
- Best season
- September to April" (Bihar Tourism)
- Area
- Rajgir
Tirtham can arrange here
Guide, car and stay around Rajgir
Also around Rajgir
- Litti chokha: The dish people mean when they say Bihari food.
- Sattu sharbat in summer: What Bihar drinks against the heat: roasted gram, water, lemon and salt, sold from carts on every corner.
- Magahi paan: The betel leaf of old Magadh, soft enough to melt in the mouth, grown under thatch in Nawada, Gaya, Aurangabad and Nalanda.
- The ropeway up Ratnagiri: The ride up to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, over the hills the Buddha walked, in an open chair or a cabin.
- Rajgir Mahotsav: Bihar's festival of classical dance and music, with a food fair, held in Rajgir each year.
- Silao khaja: A many-layered fried sweet made in Silao, on the road between Rajgir and Nalanda, GI-registered in 2018.
Nearby places
- Rajgir (Griddhakuta): Hills where the Buddha and Mahavira taught
- Saptaparni Cave: It is held to be where the First Buddhist Council met after the Buddha's parinirvana and where Ananda...
- Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Rajgir: Pilgrims come to circumambulate and pray for peace at one of about 80 Nipponzan Myohoji peace pagodas...
- Venuvana: It is the first monastery ever offered to the Buddha and where he spent several rains retreats, so...
- Pippala Cave: Buddhists visit it as Mahakashyapa's dwelling and a meditation retreat; Hindu visitors come for the...
- Jivakamravana: It is the mango grove the physician Jivaka gave to the sangha and where the Buddha was treated after...
- Bimbisara's Jail: Buddhists come because Bimbisara, the Buddha's royal patron who is said to have attained sotapanna...
- Brahma Kund: Bathing in the hot springs is treated as purifying and curative, and the water is believed to be...
Questions pilgrims ask
Why is Cyclopean Wall important?
A pre-Mauryan fortification of massive undressed stones fitted without mortar, running over the hill ridges around the old city. Bihar Tourism gives its length as over 40 km and width about 14 ft, with bastions at intervals; the Wikipedia Rajgir article says "almost 50 km-long" and dates it to about the 6th century BCE. Long stretches survive on the ridgelines, and the most-visited section is beside the Rajgir-Gaya road near the southern gate.
When is the best time to visit Cyclopean Wall?
September to April" (Bihar Tourism).
Can Tirtham plan a yatra to Cyclopean Wall?
Yes. Tell us how long you have and who is going, and Tirtham plans the days, the guide, the car and the stay.
Plan my Yatra. Rather talk to someone? Call or WhatsApp +91 87893 56605, or contact us.