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Bihar
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Bodgaya |
Rajgir | Swarna Bhandara |
Nalanda |
Vaishali | Sarnath
| Buddhist
Circuits Near Bihar |
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| Bodhgaya |
 Is
15 kms. from Gaya and 112 km from Patna. About 2500
years ago, Gautam the prince of Kapilvastu attained
enlightenment under the Peepal tree to become Buddha
,the founder of one of the greatest religion of world
"Buddhism". The tree that stands today is said to have
grown from the original Bodhi tree under which lord
Buddha meditated. River Niranjana is the river where
lord Buddha bathed after attaining enlightenment. The
places where Lord Buddha spent seven weeks are now seven
sacred shrines. |
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The
Bodhi Tree
The present Bodhi tree is the fifth succession of original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
Lord Buddha At Main Temple
Mahabodhi Temple is the architectural amalgamation of many cultures. The temple bears the stamp of architecture of the Gupta Dynasty and subsequent ages. On the walls of the temple different aspects of Buddha are deciphered. The height of the temple is and on the top of the temple are Chatras symbolizing sovereignty of the religion. Inside the temple is a colossal image of Buddha in a sitting posture touching the earth by his right hand .
Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum
The Bodh Gaya archaeological Museum displays collection of Buddhist sculpture from the 1st century BC to the 11 century AD. This museum has plenty of relics recovered from the old temple and several other objects excavated from the site. Most of the original sculptured pillars that formed the railing around the Mahabodhi Temple can be seen here . Other attractions are
Ratnagar, Animeshlochan, Chaiyata, Tibetan Monastery, International Buddhist House & Japanese Temple, Buddhist Monastery of Bhutan, The Burmese Temple, The Chinese Temple & Monastery
Barabar Cave(41 Kms from Bodhgaya) Votive Stupas at Bodhgaya
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| Rajgir |
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10 kms south of Nalanda is located in a verdant valley surrounded by rocky hills .An Arial ropeway provides the link with the hill-top Stupa called "The Peace Pagoda " built by the Japanese .This is sacred to the memory of founder of both Buddhism and Jainism . Lord Buddha spend many months of retreat , used to meditate and preach on
Griddhkuta, the "hills of vultures " .Lord Mahavir spent 14 years of his life at Rajgir and Nalanda . It was in Rajgriha that lord Buddha delivered some of his famous sermons and converted King Bimbisara of the Magadha kingdom and countless others to his creed . |
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Venuvana
Site of the monastery Venuvana vihar built by king Bimbisara for lord Buddha to reside . This was the king's first offering to lord Buddha
Amaravana or Jivakas mango garden
Site of the Royal physicians dispensary where the lord Buddha was once brought to have wound dressed by
Jivaka, the royal physician during the reign of Ajatshatru &
Bimbisara.
Griddhakuta or "Vultures Peak"
The place where Buddha set in motion his second wheel of law for three months every year during the rainy season, preached many inspiring sermons to his disciple. The Buddha sangha of Japan have constructed a massive model stupa "the Shanti
Stupa" (Peace Pagoda) at the top of hill in commemoration.
Ajatshatru's fort
Built by Ajatshatru the king of Maghadha in 6th century BC.
Bimbisara's Jail
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| Swarna
Bhandara |
 Two rather strange cave chambers were hollowed out of a single massive rock. One of the chambers is believed to have been the Guard room. The rare wall has two straight vertical lines and one horizontal line cut into the rock, this doorway is supposed to lead to king Bimbisara's Treasury. The inscriptions in Sankhalipi or Shell Scripts etched into the wall and so far undeciphered are believed to give the clue to open the doorway. The treasure according to folklore is still intact.
Cyclopean wall
Once 40 kms long ,it encircled ancient Rajgir built of massive undressed stone carefully fitted together, the wall is one of the few important pre modern structures ever built to have been found.
Jain Temples
On the hill crests along Rajgir far in the distances there are 26 Jain Temples. They are difficult to approach for untrained but make exciting trekking for those in form.
Hot Spring
At the foot of Vaibhav Hill a staircase leads up to the various temples , the water comes through spouts from Saptdhara "the Seven Streams" believed to find their source behind the
"Sapta Parni Caves" up in the hills.
Pipala Caves
Popularly known as "Jarasandh Ki Baithak" after the name of King
Jarasandh. Among the hot springs of Vaibhav hills is a rectangular stone sculpted by the forces of nature which appears to have been used as watchtower. |
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