Vaishali
Ancient site · Buddhist · Relic Stupa · Vaishali, Bihar
An early republic, sacred to Buddhists and Jains
Where the Buddha preached his last sermon and foretold his parinirvana, and the birthplace of Bhagwan Mahavira. An Ashokan lion pillar still stands here.
History
Vaishali was capital of the Licchavi republic, among the earliest known republics in the world; the Second Buddhist Council was held here.
Beliefs
Buddhists revere the relic stupa said to hold a share of the Buddha's ashes; Jains honour Vaishali as Mahavira's janmabhoomi.
What devotees do
Pilgrims circumambulate the relic stupa and the Ashokan pillar, and visit the Coronation Tank (Abhishek Pushkarini).
Vaishali, an early republic
One of the world's first republics and where the Buddha preached his last sermon and announced his parinirvana. The Ashokan pillar and the relic stupa are the highlights. It is an easy detour north of Patna toward Kesariya.
Plan your visit
- Best season
- Oct - Mar
- Typical visit
- 2-3 hours
- Stay in Vaishali
- 1 day
- How to reach
- ~55 km from Patna via Hajipur; taxis and buses.
- Dress code
- Comfortable, modest clothing; open-air sites.
- Area
- Vaishali
Festivals
- Vaishali Mahotsav
- Buddha Purnima: The Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing, marked under the Bodhi Tree. (May)
- Mahavir Jayanti
Yatras that include Vaishali
- Buddhist Yatra: Where he preached his last sermon and announced he would die in three months.
Pujas
- Relic Stupa Vandana: Chanting and circumambulation of the relic stupa for merit, healing and peace.
Tirtham can arrange here
Guide, car and stay around Vaishali
Also around Vaishali
- Sattu sharbat in summer: What Bihar drinks against the heat: roasted gram, water, lemon and salt, sold from carts on every corner.
- Vaishali archaeological museum: What was dug out of the city where the Buddha preached and Mahavira was born.
- Vaishali Mahotsav: The district's festival for Mahavira's birth, held in the town where he was born.
- Shahi litchi season: For five weeks each summer Muzaffarpur sells the litchi India knows it by, GI-registered in 2018.
- Lac bangles of Muzaffarpur: The lac bangles the district itself names as the town's craft.
- The Kartik Purnima fair at Sonepur: Asia's largest livestock fair, at the meeting of the Ganga and the Gandak, from Kartik Purnima.
Nearby places
- Ashokan Pillar, Kolhua: Kolhua is where the Buddha stayed repeatedly and is held to be where he gave his last sermon and...
- Abhishek Pushkarni: Pilgrims visit it as a holy bathing tank of the Lichchhavis, tied both to the Buddha's stay at Kolhua...
- Bhagwan Mahavir Janma Bhoomi, Basokund: Jains come to the birthplace of Mahavira; it is one of the principal Jain tirthas of Bihar
- Bawan Pokhar Temple: It is the principal Hindu shrine within the Vaishali archaeological complex, visited alongside the...
- Chaumukhi Mahadev: Devotees come to worship the four-faced Shivling, an unusual form not found elsewhere in the district
- Ramchaura Mandir: Devotees come for darshan of the footprints of Rama at a stop on his journey to Janakpur
- Kaunhara Ghat: Pilgrims bathe and pray at the confluence, especially on full-moon days
- Budhi Mai Temple: Local and regional devotees come to the goddess Budhi Mai, chiefly at the time of her mela
Questions pilgrims ask
Why is Vaishali important?
Where the Buddha preached his last sermon and foretold his parinirvana, and the birthplace of Bhagwan Mahavira. An Ashokan lion pillar still stands here.
When is the best time to visit Vaishali?
Oct - Mar.
How do I reach Vaishali?
~55 km from Patna via Hajipur; taxis and buses.
How long should I spend at Vaishali?
2-3 hours
What should I wear to Vaishali?
Comfortable, modest clothing; open-air sites.
Which festivals are celebrated at Vaishali?
Vaishali Mahotsav, Buddha Purnima, Mahavir Jayanti.
Can Tirtham plan a yatra to Vaishali?
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.