Historical Places that one should must visit in Rajgir in Bihar state.

Rajgir is one of the oldest cities of India. It is located in Nalanda district. It is known as "the City of Kings". It was the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Magadh.  Jarasandha, who was the descendant of Brihadratha, founded the Empire which are also mentioned in Mahabharata.

You can visit Rajgir through roadway as well as airways. One can take railway from their station direct to Rajgir as well as take bus to their. If one Want, they can travel through flight to Gaya district airport and hire public transport to Rajgir which is at a distance of 1 hour.

The city of Rajgir was the first seat of power in the ancient kingdom of Magadha- the state centre of powerful Mauryan Emperors. Historically, Rajgir was also considered one of the places favored by spiritual leaders like Mahavira and Gautam. Rajgir is situated in a valley surrounded by seven Hills. It was formerly known as Raja Griha (The Royal Palace).

There are many places to Explore in Rajgir, if you want to visit there you at least need 2-3 days to explore everything in Rajgir. 

1. Swarn Bhandar.

It is located at a distance of 5 km from Rajgir Railway station. It is artificial caves which is situated in Rajgir, Bihar. It is situated near Maniyar Math. It is the one of the famous places to visit in  Rajgir.

Swarn Bhandar or Son Bhandar means "store of gold" and legend has it that within the cave. It is believed that there has a lot of treasure which was belonging to ancient King, either Jarasandha or Bimbisara. According to legend, it is believed that the cave is protected with script and the right reader can open this door. Over the year people tried to open but it was not successful.

Based on dedicatory inscription found in the largest cave - which uses Gupta script of the 4th century CE - the caves are generally dated to the third or fourth century CE, although some authors suggested the caves could actually go back to the period of the Mauryan Dynasty, possibly as early as 319 BCE. 

The inscription in the rock at the entrance of the cave in the Gupta characters of the 4th century CE mentions the construction of the cellar by a Jain Muni named Vaira deva. Muni Vaira deva among the Acarya's and of a great Lustre, caused to be made the two auspicious caves which are worthy of ascetics, and in which were placed the images of arhats.

Distance- 5 km from railway station

Place location- Near Maniyar Math

Timing- 9 AM to 5 PM 

2. Rajgir Hot Spring.

It is located at the foothills of the Vaibhav Hill, there are separate bathing places in different temples with natural water sprouting out of the ground. It is said that hot spring has medicinal properties which help to cure many skin diseases. The seven hot springs or Saptarshi, which come and mingle together into a big pool of warm water called Brahma Kund. This is considered as the holy place for bathing. There are a total of 22 hot springs and the hottest among this is Brahma Kund, with the highest temperature around 45 degrees Celsius.

This is the sacred place for Hindus where water from seven different springs (Saptarshi) merge and is notable for its healing effects. There are small water outlets with hot water from the sanctum of each Rishi-Agastya, Atri, Bharadwaja, Gautam, Jamandagni, Vashistha and Vishvamitra. This is one of the most popular attractions of Rajgir. The water from the spring is collected in an enclosure, which is accessible by a staircase. There are also faucets with running water where one can bathe. Separate bathing places are allocated for men and women. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the spring.

Distance- 3 km from railway station.

Place Location- At The foot of the Vaibhava Hill.

Entry- free

Timing- 6 AM to 6 PM.

3. Japanese Stupa

It is also known as Vishwa Shanti Stupa. This is situated at the top of Gridhakuta hill at an altitude of 400m. It was built as a symbol of world peace by the Japanese.

This marble pillar also showcases four golden statues of Buddha depicting different stages of his life.

i.e.- Life

      Enlightenment.

      Preaching.

      Death.

The Shanti Stupa was the brainchild of Fujii Guruji, a monk, in 1978 after having received the Jawaharlal Nehru award for international understanding by the government of India. It is 28 meters high, and the Stupa is built in marble and on the four corners of the Stupa are four glimmering Statues of Buddha.

To reach the top of this hill one can also come through the Ropeway as well as through stairs. This place is also called The Gridhakuta.

Distance- 8 Km from railway station.

Place Location- Rajju Marg.

Timing- 9 AM to 7 PM.

Entry- Free.

4. Jarasandha ka Akhara.

Akhara is an Indian word for a place of practice with facilities for boarding, lodging and training, both in context of Indian martial art or a sampradaya monastery for religious renunciates. 

Jarasandha ka Akhara is an ancient historical monument at Rajgir in Bihar, India. The epic of Mahabharata narrates the king Jarasandha was an important character whose torturous rule came to an end when Bhima (second Pandava's brother) killed him at this place.

According to the legend of notorious Jarasandha, 99 kings were defeated and imprisoned by him to be offered as sacrifice. As he was mighty and invincible wrestler, so he used to challenge the kings to wrestle with him at his wrestling square. 

 So, to put an end to Jarasandha awful plan, Krishna Advised Bhima to trick him in the duel to kill Jarasandha. So, in the battlefield Bhima tried many times to kill Jarasandha but he failed. At last Krishna advised him to lift Jarasandha in the air and pressed his knee against Jarasandha's backbone and throw the two parts in opposite side.

The reason why Jarasandha was not killed normally as other person because of the reason that, King Brihadratha, Father of Jarasandha married the two twin daughters of the king Kasi. Brihadratha love both of them equally. But he had no sons. One day, a sage named Chandra Kausika granted him a boon as a fruit and told them give it to your wife for becoming the parents of child. But the king divided the fruit among two wives. So soon each of queens had halves of the child body and its horrible to watch so the king ordered to throw the child into the forest. A Rakshasi named Jara found that two pieces and joined them with her power. Jara went and gave the child to the king. That is the reason no one was able to kill Jarasandha. That is the reason why Krishna Advised him to throw two parts into opposite side. This all things are mentioned in Mahabharata. 

Distance - 6 KM from Railway Station.

Place Location- Near Maniyar Math.

Timing- 9 AM to 9 PM.

Entry- Free         

5. Japanese Temple 

This is a big Temple with a statue of Gautam Buddha in white colour. It is placed in the main Entrance of the temple. You get to see lush green garden around the temple which is maintained well. You can also see a pillar inside the main gate of this temple.

It was built as a symbol of world peace by the Japanese. This Marble pillar also showcases four golden statues of Buddha depicting different stages of life. You can also see a pillar inside the main gate of this temple. Devotees sit inside the temple as it is a very peaceful and calm place. This is one of the major attractions for the people in Rajgir.

Distance- 3 Km from Railway Station.

Place Location- Near Rajgir Kund.

Timing- 10 AM to 6:30 PM

Entry- Free.