Giriyak Stupa
Stupa · Gautama Buddha · Giriyak, Nalanda, Bihar
It is the surviving Gupta-period stupa of the Rajgir hills, visible for miles, and carries a double...
A cylindrical brick stupa 6.5 m high on a 4.4 m square base, standing on a hill spur at the eastern end of the Rajgir range above Giriyak village, on the west bank of the Panchane river. It is Gupta period, about 400-500 CE; the solid brick dome and stone umbrella that once crowned it are gone. The ASI carried out extensive restoration between 2011 and 2016. Locally it is called Jarasandha's throne. It is reached on foot up the hill.
Plan your visit
- Area
- Rajgir
Yatras that include Giriyak Stupa
- Buddhist Yatra: A brick stupa on a ridge above the Panchane, reached on foot. Empty most days.
Experiences here
- The Jethian to Rajgir walk: The valley road the Buddha and King Bimbisara are said to have met on
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 Giriyak Stupa important?
A cylindrical brick stupa 6.5 m high on a 4.4 m square base, standing on a hill spur at the eastern end of the Rajgir range above Giriyak village, on the west bank of the Panchane river. It is Gupta period, about 400-500 CE; the solid brick dome and stone umbrella that once crowned it are gone. The ASI carried out extensive restoration between 2011 and 2016. Locally it is called Jarasandha's throne. It is reached on foot up the hill.
Can Tirtham plan a yatra to Giriyak Stupa?
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.