21 Best Places To Visit In Rajgir Nalanda with Tour Plan

After visiting many places in Bodhgaya, we went on the Rajgir tour. Check the Bodhgaya page for the expenses.

We hired a cab last night (in Bodhgaya) and travelled to Rajgir. We checked out from the hotel early, around 6.30 am, and started our journey.

Rajgir tour plan
Rajgir tour plan

The Ultimate Nalanda Rajgir tour plan

It was about a 2-hour journey from Bodhgaya. On the way to Rajgir, we stopped in a village called “Gehlaur.” The village is known for Dashrath Manjhi.

You can find his name in the Guinness World Records because he cut a hill about Twenty-two feet only with a Chisel and hammer. It takes 20 years to build a road inside the mountain.

Dashrath Manjhi
Dashrath Manjhi

After that, the road connects Gaya in a shorter time. Earlier, the villagers had to cross the village around 21 km. Therefore, after making the road, it was beneficial for them.

In the same car and on the same day, we reached Santa Stupa around 9.30 am. Here, we find the famous Rajgir ropeway connecting Shanti Stupa at the hilltop.

This ride is adventurous but risky because it is an open-cable chair car journey. Please note sitting with a child in the same chair is not allowed. It took approx 10 to 15 minutes. The ropeway ticket cost is 80 rupees—one advice: come here earlier to avoid the queue.

Don’t Miss the Tanga ride

Next, we move to Son Vander cave. There is no entry fee at all. There is also a rumour that you can find gold here. But it is not valid. Next, we move to Brahma Kund (also known as Garam Kund), renowned for the holy water. It is believed it can cure several kinds of skin diseases.

We visited all those places, and we reached Rajgir. After, check in to our hotel at approx noon. Then, get refreshed, have lunch, and sleep for a while. In the evening, we visited Naulakha Temple. The temple is one of the famous temples in Rajgir, India tour guide.

The garden premises are well maintained. Also, there are three other temples. The temple architecture and the stone engraving are marvellous. We spent half an hour in the temple. Later, we took a Tanga to Rajgir station because we needed to know the local train timings.

Rajgir places to visit
Rajgir places to visit

After returning to the Rajgir bus stand, we ate “Idli Dosa.” We booked a car for the next day for the Nalanda Pawapuri tour and returned to the hotel.

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Visit Nalanda Pavapuri Temple Tourist places – Next day

After a tight sleep, our morning was very refreshing. We have started our Nalanda Pawapuri tour from the Rajgir bus stand. It takes approx 1 hour to reach Nalanda. When we arrived, a ‘Tangzwala’ offered us a local ride.

It was not decided in our Rajgir tour plan before. So, with this tanga, we first visited Xuan Zang Memorial Hall and Shilpa Gram. The entire Buddha idle factory was in Shilpa Gram.
We were surprised that they are selling Buddha idols and souvenirs at a low rate. So my advice is that don’t buy any showpiece, idol, or souvenir from anywhere in Bodhgaya and Gaya. It’s the right place to buy those staff.

Then we went to see “Kundalpur Jain Temple.” This temple is also exquisite, and its architectural works are superb. After, we visited Black Buddha. This Black Buddha is found during the excavation work of Nalanda. Next, the Tangewala dropped us at the main gate of the Nalanda Museum. In the museum, photographing or making a noise on the mobile is prohibited.

Afterwards, we moved to Nalanda University, just beside the Nalanda Museum. A lot of guides are standing in front of the gate. It is good to pick a guide because they know the entire area very well and the history of Nalanda. Do not forget to bargain.

Lastly, we visited Pawapuri. There is no entry fee is there. The temple area is alluring and peaceful. It is situated in the middle of a vast lake. The lake was filled with lotus, and we saw many birds. Spending half an hour, we returned to the hotel at 3.30 pm and finished lunch. In the evening, we went shopping in Rajgir’s local market.

Rajgir local sightseeing – 3rd day

The next day, we scheduled a Rajgir tour with local sightseeing. Around 8:00 am, we finished our breakfast, hired a tanga, and visited Pandu Pokhar first, then Bimbisara jail–Rath Chakka stain–Manihar Math–living organisms of Amabagan Veerayatan – Japanese Temple–Venuvan–Ajatshatru Fort, and ending of the tour.

We returned to the hotel in the afternoon, finished lunch, and rested. In the evening, we boarded a local train at 4:30 pm from Rajgir railway station and reached Bakhtiarpur. From Bakhtiyarpur, around 8:45 pm, we got to Garib Rath and returned to Kolkata Station at 5.30 am.

Nalanda Rajgir Tour Plan Guide

Rajgir is the most visited and famous place in Bihar. You can find historical values in the whole area. It has the oldest university in the world called Nalanda, which is some distance away from Pawapuri, where the Mahavira Tirirankara took Mahaparinirvana.

Conversely, it has a world peace pagoda, Venuvana, etc. In this Nalanda Rajgir tour plan guide, you can quickly get a vast idea about Rajgir.

21 Top Places To Visit In Rajgir

  1. Naulakha Temple
  2. Xuan Zang Memorial Hall
  3. Shilpa Gram
  4. Kundalpur Jain Temple
  5. Black Buddha
  6. Nalanda Archaeological Museum
  7. Nalanda University
  8. Pawapuri Jain temple
  9. Pandu Pokhar
  10. Vishwa Shanti Stupa / Rajgir Ropeway
  11. JIVAKA’S Mango Garden
  12. Rajgir Brahma Kund or Hot Spring
  13. Sonbhandar Caves
  14. Manihar Math
  15. Bimbisara jail
  16. Rath Chakka stain
  17. Veerayatan
  18. Japanese Temple
  19. Venuvan
  20. Ajatshatru Fort
  21. Wat Thai Siri (Newly created)

1. Naulakha Temple

Naulakha Temple is one of the famous tourist places in Rajgir Bihar. It’s also known as Sri Jain Shwetamber Temple. This temple is dedicated to lord Nunisuvrat Swami. The 20th Tirthankara of Jains and contemporary of Lord Rama here took place during the four auspicious events of his life.

Naulakha Temple Rajgir
Naulakha Temple

2. Heung Tsang memorial hall at Nalanda

Heung Tsang was a Chinese monk-scholar who made a historic pilgrimage to India and studied at Nalanda University. He was a world citizen whose mission was to propagate the sublime teachings of Buddha on life and human values. Xuan Zang (Heung Tsang) (603 A.D–664 A.D.)

Heung Tsang memorial hall at Nalanda
Heung Tsang memorial hall at Nalanda

Heung Tsang Memorial Hall History

The Memorial Hall is a symbol of the Indo-China friendship. The hall is dedicated to the great Monk and scholar Xuan.

“Bhikkhu Jagdish Kashyap,” is Nava Nalanda Mahavihara’s founder and director. He first proposed the establishment of this memorial hall. Bhikkhu Jagdish Kashyap, the founder and Director of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, first proposed establishing the memorial hall.

The Xuanzang Memorial Hall was initiated in January 1957, and the construction was completed in 1984. In 2001, the Memorial Hall was transferred to the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara for its renovation, reconstruction, restoration, and creative development. It was finally inaugurated In 2007. Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University plans to develop Xuanzang Memorial Hall as an orientation centre for national and International Buddhist pilgrims.

“The Pilgrimage Legacy of Xuanzang” illustrates the life and legacy of Hiuen Tsang’s India visit. He came during the reign of King Harsvardhana to collect Buddhist manuscripts from the ancient Nalanda University. The exhibition depicts Hiuen Tsang’s life using 18 maps and photographs.

Hiuen Tsang is considered the pioneer of Buddhist archaeology in India. The excavators had identified most Buddhist sites in India and inherited most of their knowledge from Hiuen Tsang. He was a great guide and translator. His travelogue on the journey from China to India is of great significance.

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XUAN ZHANG (HIEUN – TSANG) 

When Buddhism was lost in the Indian subcontinent in14th century, Hiuen Tsang in the mid-19th century, played a vital role in rediscovering the lost heritage through his travelogues.

In the 19th century, the government identified Hiuen Tsang’s work, Rajgir’s visiting places, Vaishali, Nalanda Sarnatha, and Kapilavasthu. The Xuanzang Memorial Hall is based on those places where his work is identified.

Hiuen Tsang’s work

The Archaeological Survey of India was established in 1861. They explore and protect the findings based on Hiuen Tsang’s work. His travelogues are one of the five classics in China.

In this memorial hall, the exhibition box results from six years of research and documentation. It depicts the complete journey and observations made by Hiuen Tsang.

Nava Nalanda Mahavihara was established in 1951 to revive the cultural tradition of the ancient Nalanda University. Nava Nalanda Mahavihara decided to narrate Hiuen Tsang’s contributions through maps in 2008.

Every year, this organization organizes a 13.5 km walk in the Rajgir-Jethian Valley in December to promote awareness about Huen Tsang.

It is believed that the Buddha took this path to arrive at the ancient Rajgriha from Jethian on being invited by Bimbisar. Bimbisar is the king of the Magadha Empire.

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XUANZANG Memorial Hall Timings and entry fee

Opening and Closing Timings Remains open from 8 am to 5 pm.

Ticket for Indians, 10 rupees per person. Free entry to children below 15 years of age. Access for Foreigner, 200 rupees per person.

3. Shilpa Gram Nalanda

Shilpa Gram is just beside the Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall. In Shilpa Gram, the local people made Buddha statues and many other god statues in unique styles.

There are many small selling counters from where you can buy those idols at a very reasonable price. You can find this idol all over Bodhgaya and Gaya. It’s the place where the statues are built in bulk.

My suggestion is to buy this gift item from Shilpa Gram, and it will save money. When you visit Nalanda Vishwa Vidyalaya, visit Huen Sang Memorial Hall, Srijani Shilpa Gram, Kundalpur Sitambar Jain temple, and Black Buddha. Those places were found at the time of the excavation of Nalanda Vishwa Vidyalaya.

Next, We Hire a Tanga from Nalanda Vishwa Vidyalaya and reach those places.

Shilpa Gram in Nalanda India
Shilpa Gram in Nalanda India

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4. Kundalpur Jain Temple Nalanda Rajgir

The first disciple of Lord Mahavira is Shree Indrabhuti Gautam Swami. Gautam Swami was born in 607 BC in the Gobbar village—Kundalpur in the kingdom of Magadh King Shrenika.

He was the child of Prithvi Devi and Vasubhuti. In a short period, brilliant child Indrabhuti became a learned scholar of 14 high-quality pieces of knowledge like Vedas, Vedanta, Puran, Upanishad, etc.

Kundalpur Jain Temple
Kundalpur Jain Temple

5. Black Buddha Nalanda

The black Buddha temple is next to nearby Nalanda University ruins. The temple architecture is simple. In the temple, a big idol of Lord Buddha is situated. The Buddha idol is made from black basalt rock.

The Buddha idol was found during the excavation of Nalanda University. In front of the temple gate, some vendors sell the replica of the black Buddha.

The Black Buddha temple is beside Nalanda University, but you must book a tanga or battery-operated rickshaw to reach the temple because it is in a different direction.

Black Buddha Nalanda
Black Buddha Nalanda

6. Nalanda Archaeological Museum 

Archaeological Museum, Nalanda, was established in 1971. Archaeologists found the antiquities mainly from the excavation of the ancient site of Nalanda. The museum collection comprises stone images, sculptures, bronzes, terracotta objects, stuccos, iron implements, ivory & shell Objects inscribed slabs, earthen potteries, and beads semi-precious stone, etc. mainly ranging from 5th to 12th century A.D. in date.

Most of the images belong to the Buddhist pantheon. Four galleries in the Main hail display representative objects of the museum.

Nalanda Archaeological Museum Bihar
Nalanda Archaeological Museum Bihar

Nalanda Archaeological Museum Opening and Closing Timings and entry fee

It remains open from 9 am to 5 pm.

Nalanda Archaeological Museum ticket is 5 rupees per person—free entry to children below fifteen. Friday closed.

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7. Nalanda University Rajgir Bihar

It was the oldest university in the world. Nalanda to Rajgir distance is 12 km, where ruins of the great ancient university have been excavated.

The University of Nalanda was founded in the 5th century A.D. Today, Nalanda is a famous tourist place in India. Visitors from all over the world rush into it. Though everything is ruined now, this is the most visitable place on the Rajgir tour.

Take a guide for Nalanda

Nalanda History

Nalan means lotus, and da means to confer; it symbolises knowledge. So Nalanda means the centre for imparting knowledge. Emperor Ashoka had laid its foundations in the 3rd century B.C.

Nalanda became the most prominent university in the world under the Guptas 600 years after Ashok. It was built in Kushan architecture. Not only Buddhism but also teaches literature, philosophy, the Vedas, logic, grammar, philology, rhetoric, astrology, chemistry, and medicine. The student from all over the world came here in pursuit of knowledge.

Even Hiuen Tsang, while on tour through India from China in 637 AD, had come to Nalanda. He studied for five full years here. From the book of Hiuen Tsuan, we know that 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students crowded with Chancellor Shilbhadra.

From emperor Harshavardhan, Nalanda received the gift of a 26m copper image of Buddha. In those days, the university had also received 1200 villages as donations from several kings. This revenue is used for the university to run its free education program.

Rajgir Nalanda
Rajgir Nalanda

Nalanda Became a Tourist Place

Until 1860, Nalanda remained hidden from the public eye. Nalanda is the “last centre of Buddhist” manifestation in India. It was rediscovered after 20 years of excavation in 1916. Among the ruins of Nalanda, there are 11 “Maths” (monasteries) of red bricks, Stupas, images of the Buddha, a dormitory for students, classrooms, temples, Chaityas, Sangharams, and other relics located from south to north.

Entering through the west gate straight to the south are 2 Sangharams. The larger one was a classroom, and the smaller one was a dormitory. In front of the 31 m high Stupa (the main Stupa) built by Emperor Ashoka, the stupas were constantly being built and rebuilt in ruins. There were architectural changes and transformations in shape and size.

This Buddhist Stupa looks much like a Hindu temple. The present Stupa that stands was rebuilt on the ruins for the sixth time. In the ancient days, Nalanda Taradevi was the supreme deity for worship.

There were four beautifully ornamented domes on the four corners. The remnants of the two still bear witness to the fact. The inner sanctum enshrines several deities. A circular path is there within the temple.

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Nalanda University Opening and Closing Timings and Entry Fee

It remains open from 9 am to 5 pm.

Nalanda’s ticket is 10 rupees per person. (Take some extra time to visit; this place is vast.)

8. Pavapuri Jain Temple

Pawapuri is a sinless town 35 km away from Rajgir. It is a great pilgrimage centre for the Jains. Pavapuri or Pavapuri Jain Temple / Apapuri (city immaculate) is one of those places the Jains consider sacred. Likewise, the Jal Mandir (Temple on water) on the Kamal Sarovar or Lotus Lake is sanctimonious.

The founder of the Jain religion, Mahavira Tirthankara, gave his last lecture here, took Mahaprinirvana, and buried it there. The Swetamber temple is built with white marble in exquisite architecture. The temple is in the midst of a lake full of lotus surroundings. Many birds are found adrift on the lake water.

It is said that Burdwan Mahavir, the last Jain Tirthankar and Jainist preacher, attained his Nirvana here in 490 BC. The footprints of Mahavir are at the centre, and the footprints of his two disciples are on the left and right.

On Diwali night, the birthday of Mahavir, the cover on the footprints unveils itself, and Mahavir emerges as a resurrected presence. Devotees and disciples from far and wide arrive to gain the experience of a holy visit.

Pawapuri Jain temple or Jal Mandir in Rajgir
Pawapuri Jain temple or Jal Mandir in Rajgir

9. Pandu Pokhar Rajgir Bihar

Pandu Pokhar is an amusement park within a natural environment. I visited this place on my Rajgir tour on the second day. This place has fantastic scenery and fun-filled activities that make Pandu Pokhar from charming gardens to an open-air theatre.

From a pond, a 37-foot-tall bronze statue of King Pandu was made. A park with an exclusive combo of entertainment and camping makes. It is approved for corporate events, school trips, family, and other social functions. Indeed, it’s a must-visit destination for a perfect vacation.

Pandu Pokhar Rajgir
Pandu Pokhar Rajgir

Pandu Pokhar inside

In the park, you can realize the sophistication of nature with fun. You can enjoy adventurous Zipline and Zorbing. For adults, you have a variety of games like cricket in court with an automatic bowling machine, badminton court, volleyball court, horse riding, Air hockey, pool, Table tennis, foot massage, boating, and other fun activities.

The park is filled with fun rides, games, and seasoning gardens. At sunset, displaying the colourful fountains in the pond enriches the park’s beauty.

A meditation zone with a composed statue of Lord Buddha is found under a Peepal tree. It is a place that blends nature and history to de-stress and quieten the mind. So, if you appreciate history and nature, you can visit.

In Pandu Pokhar Park, there are five types of bands for entry. The different coloured bands are at different prices. The minimum charge is 30 rupees, and the band colour is white (weekend 40 rupees) etc.

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10. Vishwa Shanti Stupa Rajgir Bihar

Vishwa Shanti Stupa Rajgir is a Buddhist stupa in Bihar constructed on Ratnagiri hills in 1965. The fiery-white, 40m stupa stands on the Ratnagiri hilltop.

Vishwa Shanti Stupa History

The Japanese government built the Rajgir Vishwa Shanti stupa with the help of the government of India. The mission is to spread Lord Buddha’s message of nonviolence to the world.

There are 80 stupas in the world dedicated to Buddhism. It’s also called peace pagodas, built as a symbol of nonviolence after Japan became a victim of the atomic bomb in the Second World War. There are four Buddha statues around the Rajgir Vishwa Shanti Stupa.

Vishwa Shanti Stupa
Vishwa Shanti Stupa

The Stupa is constructed with golden statues of Buddha. in four stages of his life–birth, enlightenment, preaching, and the afterlife. It is made of white marble. We can view the Stupa from several hills of Rajgir.

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The Ropeway

The Chairlift Aerial Ropeway is the main attraction in Rajgir tourism. It’s a single-person ropeway in Ratna Giri hills; it takes visitors to the hilltop and reverses similarly.

The journey takes around 15 minutes. Besides this, visitors can also use stairs to reach the hilltop. It will take one hour.

Ropeway Ticket Opening and Closing Timings

  • It remains open from 9 am to 5 pm.
  • Chairlift Ariel Ropeway’s ticket is 80 rupees per person.

11. Amravana Or Jivaka’s Mango Garden

This “Amraban” was the pharmacy of Jibak. He was the physician of the king of Magadha once Buddha had come to Jibak for medical treatment. When his unfriendly cousin, Devdutta, injured him. Jivaka converted this site into a Vihara and gifted it to the Buddhist order.

Amaravana or Jivaka's Mango Garden
Amaravana or Jivaka’s Mango Garden

12. Rajgir Brahma Kund or Hot Springs

Garam Kund is also known as Brahma Kund, Garam Pani ka Jharna, Topada, or hot spring. Topada, or Hot springs in the epic Mahabharata, refers to the hot water springs of Rajagriha. Legend ascribes it to the tapah (austerities) of Brahma. In Buddhist literature, the main river of Rajagriha is called Tapoda; the waters are diverted to form a lake for the king.

The authors of the Shastras accorded great sanctity to the Sarasvati River in Rajgir. Vayu Puran suggests bathing in this river for one year in the Ganges.

There is a personal bathing space for men and women in The Brahma Kund, and the water comes from Saptdhara. The hottest of the springs is the Brahmakund, where the water gushes at 45 degrees centigrade. Guru Nanak is believed to have bathed in one of these springs.

  Hot spring Rajgir
Hot spring Rajgir

13. Son Vandar Caves in Bihar

To the northwest of Maniyar Math is a group of two called the Sonbhandar caves. Jain saint Vairadeve built Sonbhandar caves excavated in the southern scarp of Vaibhara hill.

It is around six km from the railway station. It is believed that a treasure of gold is still hidden here. It is said that if someone engraves here, the golden vault door will open.

The rock in which the caves were excavated is not sufficiently homogeneous to be suitable for the excavation of caves, so the roof of the eastern one has entirely fallen off. In contrast, the roof and walls of the other one contain large cracks.

The western cave contains a doorway and a window in the southern wall. The door opening is more base than at the top. The cave walls are straight up and then turn inwards to form the vault-shaped root. We can see several short epigraphs on the inner walls.

Son Vandar Caves in Rajgir Bihar
Son Vandar Caves in Rajgir Bihar

The second or the eastern cave stands on a lower level than the first, but both were excavated simultaneously. It was first noticed by Cunningham, who found the roof fallen and the interior filled with masses of rock and earth.

The debris has been cleared from the interior, and the floor is maintained at its original level. There was a roofed verandah in front of the cave, as is indicated by beam holes on the outer wall and platform or courtyard in front, the brick pavement of which is still visible.

14. Manihar Math Rajgir

As per the Mahabharata, Rajagriha is the sacred abode of Mani-naga. The modern Maniyar Math represents where the ancient shrine of Mani-naga once stood, but it’s doubtful.

A cylindrical brick shrine devoted to the worship of the Main deity of Rajagriha (The Moni Nag god). The stucco figures on the inner wall show male and female naga figures. The stone sculpture with naga figures and with the name of Mani-naga occurring on it.

Maniyar Math Rajgir
Maniyar Math Rajgir

Manihar Math History

Stone buildings are pretty independent of the brick and stand above at the deeper levels in the area. Naga (snake) worship was a distinctive feature of non-Vedic religion. Rajgir was a great centre of pilgrimage.

The people of Magadha regarded Nagas as great deities. They believed the god could bring rain if properly appeased by worship. All around the main shrine, the visitor will find low brick platforms.

In the main shrine many pottery jars were found, some of them being about 1.26 meters in height. Specimens are in the Nalanda Museum. Some jars are shaped like serpent-hoods, goblins, and animal figures.

It is interesting to note that similar jars with spouts are still now used in Bengal. It used to worship serpents under the name Manasa.

Huge pits full of skeletal remains of animals have been exposed, which makes history. It’s believed that the place was associated with human sacrifice as well. Buddhist tales picture Rajagriha as a notorious place for the supremacy of these presiding deities.

15. Bimbisara Jail Rajgir

Ajatsatru had imprisoned Bimbiser, the king of Magadh. About 1 kilometre from Maniyar Math, he put the dethroned king inside a jail. After him, it came to be known as the Jail of Bimbisar.

The caged king selects this site for his confinement. Bimbisar wants to see the Lord Buddha on the nearby Gridhrakut hill from this jail. Unfortunately, the king was assassinated in 490 BC. Nevertheless, the iron rings on the floor discovered during the initial excavation can identify the remnants of this prison.

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Jail of Bimbisar Archeological site in Rajgir
Jail of Bimbisar Archeological site in Rajgir

16. Chariot Wheel Mark And Shell Characters

The Rath Chakra marker and Shell inscription area are under the archaeological survey of India. These Shell inscriptions are found in many places in Rajgir and North India, which have not yet been analyzed. According to mythology, the Chariot wheel Mark belongs to the Mahabharata era.

When we visit this site, a local guide tells us the story of the Ratha Chakka Dag. It shows us Tha Ratah Chakka Dagh, Bheem’s footmark, elephant’s footmark, etc. In front of the gate, many vendors are selling one kind of garlic used as a painkiller, wooden hair clips, sanjivani trees, etc.

Chariot Wheel Mark And Shell Characters in Rajgir
Chariot Wheel Mark And Shell Characters in Rajgir

17. Veerayatan Rajgir

In Veerayatan, 95 dolls in sparkling dresses illustrate the life of Mahabir. A short drive from Venuvana Vihara leads to Virayatna. It has an ashram with a residential area and a museum—an entry fee of 20 rupees.

The Veerayatan was founded in 1973. It covers 40 acres of area. In the last 30 years, it has provided free treatment for over 750,000 patients. A garden of roses surrounds the place—basic pathological tests. Eyeglasses, medicine, and nutritious meals are provided free of charge.

Besides eye care, the hospital hosts Orthopaedic clinics and polio camps several times a month. The patient is given prosthetic limbs free of charge. Veerayatan also highlighted and took action about the distribution of clothes and education. A school has been set up in Lachwad village to provide education for an uneducated community for generations.

 Inside Veerayatan Rajgir
Inside Veerayatan Rajgir

18. Japanese temple Rajgir

The Japanese temple is beside the Venu Vana and is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Rajgir. It is a quiet and peaceful place. We were staying here for a while. It gives a lot of positive energy.

The structure of the temple is also unique. It is very calm inside the temple. There are some photos of HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI. It also has a giant Buddha statue on the temple premises.

Japanese temple Rajgir
Japanese temple Rajgir

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19. Venuvana Rajgir

Bimbisar, the king of Magadha, had built the Venuhan Vihar (monastery) as a gift for Buddha to live here. It was the first gift of the king as obeisance to his preceptor. Buddha passed several monsoons in Venuban.

Venuvana (the forest of Bamboo) was the imperial gift to Buddha to make it easier for his disciples to visit him. It was the first property of the Buddha and the favourite residence as well. This place was ideal for the monastery, and the park is close to the city.

This place was helpful for Buddha to practice meditation. Sakyamuni passed the first rainy season following his enlightenment.

Venuvana ticket Opening and Closing Timings

6 am to 7 pm in summer and 6 am to 6 pm in winter.

Venubana Ticket for Indians, 5 rupees per person. For children below 3 rupees. Ticket for Foreigner, 70 rupees per person.

Venuvana Rajgir
Venuvana Rajgir

20. Ajatashatru’s fort

Ajatsaru, the son of King Bimbisar and the king of Magadha in the 6th century B.C. during the Buddha’s time, built the fort. The 6.5 sq. He built Ajatashatru’s Stupa at Rajgriha, the ancient capital of Magadh, even 500 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.

The fort is named Ajatshatru Fort, the last place in our Rajgir tour. Though only one entry gate on the north is visible today, there were 32 entrances in the Past. Two strata walls surrounded the fortress with a rock-cut moat.

ruins  Ajatashatru's fort wall at Rajagriha in Rajgir
Ruins Ajatashatru’s fort wall at Rajagriha in Rajgir

21. Wat Thai Siri (New)

It’s a new place about Gautam Buddha and is still developing.

Wat Thai Siri
Wat Thai Siri (New)

What is famous in Rajgir?

Ragir is famous for Nalanda University, Buddhism Jainism, etc. You can find 21 tourist places here.

How can I go to Rajgir from Kolkata?

The nearest station is Baktiarpur, connected from Howrah, with no direct train for Rajgir. Take another local train/bus / private cab for Rajgir from there.

Rajgir and Nalanda one-day sightseeing fare?

It is approx 1000 rupees depending on which places you cover. If you add Pawapuri, then they charge more.

6 Comments

  1. Thank you for the information through your blog. It is really helpful. Thank you for sharing

  2. Pradeep Kumar Agal says:

    Excellent and very detailed travelogue … very informative . will use it as my reference. Thank you

  3. D N Chowdhary says:

    Wonderfully overed tour, helpful information.thanks

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