Rajgir

Rajgir
Rajgriha
City
Shanti Stupa
Vishwa Shanti Stupa at Rajgir, one of the 80 Peace Pagodas around the world.
Nickname(s): Court of Magadha Empire
Bihar
Rajgir
Bihar
Bihar
Rajgir
Rajgir (Bihar)
Coordinates: 25°02′N 85°25′E / 25.03°N 85.42°E / 25.03; 85.42Coordinates: 25°02′N 85°25′E / 25.03°N 85.42°E / 25.03; 85.42
Country  India
State Bihar
Region Magadha
Division Patna
District Nalanda
Ward 19 wards
founded ≈2000 BCE
Founded by Samrat Brihadratha
Area(2015) [A 1]
 • City 61.6 km2 (23.8 sq mi)
 • Regional planning 517 km2 (200 sq mi)
Elevation 73 m (240 ft)
Population (2011)[2]
 • Total 41,587
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN 803116
Telephone code +91-6112
Vehicle registration BR-21
Sex ratio 1000/889 ♂/♀
Literacy 51.88%
Lok Sabha constituency Nalanda
Vidhan Sabha constituency Rajgir (SC) (173)
Website nalanda.bih.nic.in
  1. ↑ Constituents of Rajgir Regional Plannina area are CD blocks of Rajgir, Silao, Giriak and Katrisarai[1]

Rajgir (originally known as Girivraj) is a city and a notified area in Nalanda district in the Indian state of Bihar. The city of Rajgir (ancient Rājagṛha; Pali: Rājagaha was the first capital of the kingdom of Magadha, a state that would eventually evolve into the Mauryan Empire. Its date of origin is unknown, although ceramics dating to about 1000 BC have been found in the city. This area is also notable in Jainism and Buddhism[3] as one of the favorite places for Lord Mahavira and Gautama Buddha and the well known "Atanatiya" conference was held at Vulture's Peak mountain.

Rajgir is connected to Patna via Bakhtiarpur by rail and road. Bakhtiarpur lies midway between Patna and Mokameh. Road access is by NH 30A to Bakhtiarpur and NH 20 towards south to reach Bihar Sharif. From Mokameh NH 33 to Bihar Sharif. From there, NH 120 will leads to Rajgir. Rajgir is around 100 km from both Patna and Mokameh. It is located in a green valley surrounded by rocky hills, Rajgir hills. A daily Indian Railways train Shramjeevi Express connects Rajgir with the Indian capital New Delhi.

History

The name Rajgir came from Rājagṛiha 'house of the king' or "royal house", or the word rajgir might have its origin in its plain literal meaning, "royal mountain". It was the ancient capital city of the Magadha kings until the 5th century BC when Udayin(460-440 BC), son of Ajatshatru, moved the capital to Pataliputra.[4] In those days, it was called Rajgriha, which translates as 'the home of Royalty'. Shishunaga founded Shishunaga dynasty in 413 BCE with Rajgir as its initial capital before it was moved to Pataliputra.

King Bimbisara visits the Bamboo Garden (Venuvana) in Rajagriha; artwork from Sanchi
The stupa of Ajatashatru in Rajgir

Rajgir is also famous for its association with Haryanka dynasty Kings Bimbisara and Ajatashatru. Ajatashatru kept his father Bimbsara in captivity here. The sources do not agree which of the Buddha's royal contemporaries, Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, was responsible for its construction. Ajatashatru is also credited with moving the capital to Pataliputra (modern Patna).

King Bimbisara welcomes Buddha in Rajagriha
Buddha's cave, Griddhakuta Hill, Rajgir.

The epic Mahabharata calls it Girivraja and recount the story of its king, Jarasandha, and his battle with the Pandava brothers and their allies Krishna. Jarasandha who hailed from this place, had been defeated by Krishna 17 times. The 18th time Krishna left the battlefield without fighting.[5] Because of this Krishna is also called 'ranachorh' (one who has left the battlefield).[6] Mahabharata recounts a wrestling match between Bhima (one of the Pandavas) and Jarasandha, the then king of Magadha. Jarasandha was invincible as his body could rejoin any dismembered limbs. According to the legend, Bhim split Jarasandha into two and threw the two halves facing opposite to each other so that they could not join. There is a famous Jarasandha's Akhara (place where martial arts are practiced). It is also mentioned in Jain and Buddhist scriptures, which give a series of place-names, but without geographical context. The attempt to locate these places is based largely on reference to them and to other locations in the works of Chinese Buddhist pilgrims, particularly Faxian and Xuanzang. It is on the basis of Xuanzang in particular that the site is divided into Old and New Rajgir. The former lies within a valley and is surrounded by low-lying hills, Rajgir hills. It is defined by an earthen embankment (the Inner Fortification), with which is associated the Outer Fortification, a complex of cyclopean walls that runs (with large breaks) along the crest of the hills. New Rajgir is defined by another, larger, embankment outside the northern entrance of the valley and next to the modern town.

Ancient Cyclopean Walls of Rajgir

It was here that Gautama Buddha spent several months meditating, and preaching at Gridhra-kuta, ('Hill of the Vultures'). He also delivered some of his famous sermons and initiated king Bimbisara of Magadha and countless others to Buddhism.

Hill of the Vultures
Mulagandhakuti on Gridhra-Kuta or the Vulture's Peak

On one of the hills is the Saptaparni Cave where the First Buddhist Council was held under the leadership of Maha Kassapa.

Saptaparni Cave-The site of the First Buddhist Council
Son Bhandar Jain cave, Rajgir

It is sacred to the memory of the founders of both the religions: Jainism and Buddhism and associated with both the historical Mahavira and Buddha.

Lord Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara spent fourteen years of his life at Rajgir and Nalanda, spending Chaturmas (i.e. 4 months of the rainy season) at a single place in Rajgir (Rajgruhi) and the rest in the places in the vicinity. It was the capital of one of his Shravaks(follower) King Shrenik. Thus Rajgir is a very important religious place for Jains.The twentieth Jain tirthankara, Munisuvrata is supposed to have been born here.An ancient temple(about 1200 years old) dedicated to Munisuvrat bhagwan is also present here along with many other jain temples.This temple is also a place for four Kalyanakas of Bhagwan Munisuvratnath.

Geography and climate

View of Rajgir hills from Jarasandha's Akhara
Rugged Landscape of Rajgir

The city was in a valley surrounded by seven hills: Vaibhara, Ratna, Saila, Sona, Udaya, Chhatha, and Vipula.

Rajgir has also developed as a health and winter resort due to its warm water ponds. These baths are said to contain some medicinal properties that help in the cure of many skin diseases. .Another attraction of the region is the ropeway that leads uphill to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), Makhdoom Kund and monasteries built by Japanese devotees of the Buddha on top of the Ratnagiri Hills.

Temperature: maximum 44°C (111.2°F), minimum 20°C (68°F).
Winter temperature: maximum 28°C (82.4°F), minimum 6°C (42.8°F).
Rainfall: 1,860 mm (mid-June to mid-September)
Dry/warm season: October to March

Notable places

Naulakha Mandir
Son Bhandar cave with 3-4 century AD Jain images and inscriptions[7]
View of Son Bhandar Caves

The renowned Son Bhandar Caves is situated at Rajgir, Nalanda district in Bihar state. Son Bhandar group of caves has two caves known as eastern and western cave. Son bhandar caves are concerned with Jainism and considered to belong to 3-4 century AD.

These caves were first inspected by Cunninghum and he concluded to have analogy with Saptaparni Cave of Buddhism creed. After Cunninghum several scholars visited this place and some had opinion to concern with Buddhism. After some time all Buddhism connections were refused because of an inscription found on the southern wall of a cave.

According to this inscription these caves were built by inspiration of a Jain Muni Vair for Jain ascetics. Sculptures of Teerthankaras were also carved in these caves. From architectural aspect; these caves are analogous to Nagarjuni cave and Barabar Caves caves of Mauryan era. Therefore, it can be concluded that construction time should not be much differ from above mentioned caves.

These caves should be related to Digambar sect of Jainism as Xuanzang wrote in his book about Vaibhar Hill of Rajgir that the place was occupied by Digambar Jain monks for meditation purpose. After some centuries these caves were converted by Hindus as Lord Vishnu sculpture was also found from mound of a cave.[8]

Historically, Rajgir has been a very important place in Jainism, as capital to many empires. The main tourist attractions include the ancient city walls from Ajatshatru's period, the Bimbisar's Jail, Jarasandh's Akhara, Gridhra-kuta, ('Hill of the Vultures'), Son Bhandar Caves [9] and the Jain temples on the five peaks.[8]

Rajgir is famous for its hot water springs, locally known as Brahmakund, a sacred place for Hindus where water from seven different springs (Saptarshi) merge and is notable for its healing effects.[10][11]

Hot Springs Bath-Brahmakunda and Laxminarayan Temple Complex

Another major attraction is the peace pagoda, Vishwa Shanti Stupa, built in 1969, one of the 80 peace pagodas in the world, to spread the message of peace and non-violence.It is the oldest peace pagoda in India.The rope-way that leads to it is another attraction.

World Peace Pagoda,Rajgir

The Japanese temple is beside the Venu Vana. Venu Vana is an artificial forest, where one can enjoy Eternal peace, and meditate.And famous Makhdoom Kund. Sri Ramakrishna Math is a non-political spiritual organization which have been engaged in various forms of humanitarians, social service activities.

Venu Vana in Rajgir
Bamboo Grove in Venu Vana.

Rajgir Heritage Museum is another place of Interest, recently inaugurated by CM Nitish Kumar.[12] Ghorakotara Lake in Rajgir is known for its natural beauty and is a health spot.

The newly developed spot of Pandu Pokhar is worth visiting. The Sariputta Stupa is located on the Peak Of Giriyak Hills,at some distance from Ghora Katora Lake.

Demographics

As of the 2011 India census,[13] Rajgir had a population of 41,587 . Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Rajgir has an average literacy rate of 52%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 61%, and female literacy is 41%. In Rajgir, 19% of the population is under 6 years of age.But now the literacy average of Rajgir is (increasing from 2007) about 70%.

Transportation

Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation provides travel facility from state capital Patna to visit Bodh circuit (Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, Kesaria, Lumbini, Kushinagar, Sarnath), Jain Circuit (Rajgir, Pawapuri) and Sikh Circuit in Bihar.

Economy

The economy of the city mainly depends upon tourism and supplemented by agriculture.A large number of luxurious resorts and hotels are located in Rajgir to serve the tourists.

Rajgir ranks top in Bihar,in reference to revenue collected by tourism.

An ordinance factory of Indian Defence Service,only of its kind in Bihar is located in the city.

Sports

Nalanda International Cricket Stadium is a proposed cricket stadium in the city. In 2013, it was announced by the Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar that an international cricket stadium will be constructed at Rajgir in Bihar's Nalanda district.[14][15] After completion the stadium will home of Bihar cricket team.[16][17][18]

Nalanda International University

Nalanda University, a modern university has been established with its campus in Rajgir. It began its first academic session on 1 Sept, 2014.

Pant Wildlife Sanctuary

Pant wildlife sanctuary is located in Rajgir covering an area of about 35.8 km2.

Events

The World Peace Pagoda and the ropeway to it on Ratnagiri Hills were filmed in the song "O Mere Raja" of the 1970 movie Johnny Mera Naam ,starring Dev Anand and Hema Malini.

Notable People

See also

References

  1. ↑ "पत्रांक-213 : राजगीर क्षेत्रीय आयोजना क्षेत्र एवं बोधगया आयोजना क्षेत्र के सीमांकन एवं घोषणा" (PDF). Urban Development Housing Dept., Government of Bihar, Patna. 15 April 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 June 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  2. ↑ "Census of India Search details". censusindia.gov.in. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  3. ↑ Jain Dharma ka Maulik Itihas Part-1, Ed. Acharyashri Hastimalji Maharaj, 1971 p. 739-742
  4. ↑ W. Vivian De Thabrew (2013). Monuments and Temples of Orthodox Buddhism in India and Sri Lanka. AuthorHouse. p. 35. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  5. ↑ See Bhagavata Purana, 10.70.30
  6. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 April 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
  7. ↑ Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-violence, Kurt Titze, Klaus Bruhn, Motilal Banarsidass Publ. 1998, p. 203
  8. 1 2 History behind Son Bhandar cave of Rajgir. Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine.  – JainGlory.com
  9. ↑ Middle Land, Middle Way: A Pilgrim's Guide to the Buddha's India, Shravasti Dhammika, Buddhist Publication Society, 1992 p. 98
  10. 1 2 Kishore Sharma, Jugal (February 2014). Punya Bhoomi Bharat. Suruchi Prakashan. p. 70. ISBN 978-9381500095.
  11. ↑ Shower this hot water pond for removing all daisies - News Track Archived 19 April 2018 at the Wayback Machine.
  12. ↑ "Rajgir Heritage Museum inaugurated by CM Nitish Kumar". Archived from the original on 11 September 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  13. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  14. ↑ Land in Rajgir for cricket stadium on Ranchi model Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine.
  15. ↑ Bihar to construct world class cricket stadium Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
  16. ↑ Bihar government plans world-class stadium
  17. ↑ Bihar to construct world class cricket stadium Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine.
  18. ↑ This time, NDA plans big fight in Bihar's 'Rae Bareli' Archived 18 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine.
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