Rajgir (Griddhakuta)
Sacred hill · Buddhist · Griddhakuta · Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar
Hills where the Buddha and Mahavira taught
An ancient capital ringed by five hills, where the Buddha gave many sermons on Griddhakuta (Vulture's Peak) and Mahavira spent rainy retreats. Home to hot springs and the Vishwa Shanti Stupa.
History
Rajgir (Rajagriha) was the first capital of Magadha; the First Buddhist Council was held here after the Buddha's parinirvana.
Beliefs
Sacred to Buddhists, Jains and Hindus alike; the Saptaparni caves, Griddhakuta peak and the warm Brahmakund springs are all revered.
What devotees do
Pilgrims ride the ropeway to the Shanti Stupa, meditate at Griddhakuta, and bathe in the hot springs.
A day in Rajgir
Ride the ropeway to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa for the view, meditate at Griddhakuta where the Buddha taught, and bathe in the warm Brahmakund springs. Rajgir is sacred to Buddhists, Jains and Hindus alike, and sits between Nalanda and Bodh Gaya.
Plan your visit
- Best season
- Oct - Mar
- Typical visit
- Half day
- Stay in Rajgir
- 1 day
- How to reach
- ~100 km from Patna; Rajgir railway station; taxis from Nalanda and Bodh Gaya.
- Dress code
- Modest dress; separate bathing sections at the springs.
- Area
- Rajgir
Festivals
- Rajgir Mahotsav
- Buddha Purnima: The Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing, marked under the Bodhi Tree. (May)
- Malmas Mela
Yatras that include Rajgir (Griddhakuta)
- Buddhist Yatra: Griddhakuta, the vulture's peak. He taught here for years; the ropeway runs to the stupa above it.
Experiences here
- The hot springs at Rajgir: Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Muslims have bathed in the same water here for centuries
- The Jethian to Rajgir walk: The valley road the Buddha and King Bimbisara are said to have met on
- Malmas Mela, Rajgir: Once in about three years, the gods are said to move into Rajgir for a month
Pujas
- Vishwa Shanti Meditation Sankalp: A guided meditation and lamp offering at the Shanti Stupa for peace of mind and clarity.
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
- 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...
- Makhdum Kund: Muslim pilgrims come to bathe in the spring associated with Makhdum Sahib and to pray at the tomb
Questions pilgrims ask
Why is Rajgir (Griddhakuta) important?
An ancient capital ringed by five hills, where the Buddha gave many sermons on Griddhakuta (Vulture's Peak) and Mahavira spent rainy retreats. Home to hot springs and the Vishwa Shanti Stupa.
When is the best time to visit Rajgir (Griddhakuta)?
Oct - Mar.
How do I reach Rajgir (Griddhakuta)?
~100 km from Patna; Rajgir railway station; taxis from Nalanda and Bodh Gaya.
How long should I spend at Rajgir (Griddhakuta)?
Half day
What should I wear to Rajgir (Griddhakuta)?
Modest dress; separate bathing sections at the springs.
Which festivals are celebrated at Rajgir (Griddhakuta)?
Rajgir Mahotsav, Buddha Purnima, Malmas Mela.
Can Tirtham plan a yatra to Rajgir (Griddhakuta)?
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.