Rajagriha as it was known in the past as the picturesque place (literally, the abode of kings) is surrounded by the meandering river Banganga and 5 hills. It was the capital of the powerful Magadhan kingdom, ruled by the virtuous King Bimbisara during the lifetime of the Buddha. The hills and caves surrounding Rajagriha were home to spiritual teachers, ranging from the materialism of the early Charavaka school to the metaphysics of Upanishadic philosophers.

        Like many others in search of truth, Prince Siddhartha, after he renounced his royal heritage came to this city to seek the path of salvation. Siddhartha overwhelmed the citizens of Rajagriha with his serenity and grace. Even the king went to meet the ascetic and was amazed to learn that he was a kshatriya of royal descent. Bimbisara offered half his kingdom to Siddhartha but all he received was an assurance that when Siddhartha achieved his gola he would return to Rajagriha.

How To Get There
Road
        Hundred kilometres southest of Patna, Rajgir is connected by an excellent road to Patna as well as to Bodh Gaya, which is 70 kms away. The ancient university, Nalanda, is just 11 kms from here.

Air
        The nearest airport is Patana 100 k.m. away.

Rail
        The nearest mainline is Bhakhtiyarpur,54 k.m.,though the top line connects Raigr.

        The town has many attractions for devotees as well as tourists. It is advisable to hire your own vehicle. Entering Rajgir from Bodh Gaya one glimpses the remains of the Cyclopean walls which extend from the east to the west, from one hill to another. Once 40 kms long, these walls encircled the city built by Bimbisara. Off the main road, towards the south are the venerated Griddhakuta Hill, or Vulture Peak, and Ratnagiri.

        The metalled road follows the path originally laid by Bimbisara as a footway through the jungle. The Vishwa Shanti Stupa is a marble structure with niches bearing golden images of the Buddha, built by the Nipponzan Myohoji sect of Japan. Opposite the Stupa stands the Saddharma Buddha Vihara.

        A fifteen minute walk from Vishwa Shanti Stupa leads to Griddhakuta, sanctified by the master's presence. The strange rock protrusion resembling a vulture's beak probably gave the hill its name. In the rock cut caves here the Buddha spent many rainy seasons, meditating and preaching. It was at Griddhakuta that the Enlightened One delivered the Lotus Sutra, which promises salvation for all beings.

        At the heart of this sutra is the compassion of the Buddha whose concern is with earthly suffering-each of us may attain Enlightenment, whoever may have folded their hands or uttered namo to the Buddha. The Buddha also delivered the Prajnaparamita or Perfection of Wisdom Sutra at Griddhakuta. The easy climb down from Griddhakuta Hill crosses the site of Mardakukshi Vihara.

        It was here that Bimbisara's queen tried to get rid of her unborn child when it was prophesied that her son would one day kill his father. The Enlightened one was first brought here when he was wounded by a rock hurled by his envious cousin Devadatta. Along the road to the new town built by Ajatashatru are the ruins of Jivakamravana Vihara, the mango grove presented to the Buddha by Jivaka, the royal physician, who cared for the Lord after he was injured by Devadatta.

        Stone foundations of large elliptical halls and subsidiary rooms suggest the existence of a large monastery. Across the road are the remains of the jail where Bimbisara was imprisoned and killed by his son, Ajatashatru. From here the unfortunate king could see the master as he meditated on Griddhakuta. Ajatashatru, along with Devadatta, had conspired to take the life of the Lord by letting loose a mad elephant. But the Lord tamed the wild elephant which stood still, overcome by the Lord's serene visage. After killing his father, Ajatashatru was filled with remorse and later embraced the faith. A couple of kilometres away is Venuvana Vihara or the Monastery of the Bamboo Grove.

        This was Bimbisara's first offering to Lord Buddha. Close by is the Karanda Tank where the Buddha bathed. On the road leading to Nalanda can be seen the ruins of Ajatashatru Fort. Towards the west, excavations have revealed the ruins of Ajatashatru Stupa, built over his share of the relics of the Buddha.

        Rajagriha sank into oblivion when Ajatashatru's son, Udayin, shifted the capital to Pataliputra (modern Patna). Rajgir is also famous for its seven hot sulphur springs, Satadhara. Situated at the foot of Vaibhava Hill it is a ten minute walk from Venuvana. The hot springs are a part of the Lakshminarayan Temple complex. On the hills above are the Pippala caves, hewn into the stone paltform, popularly known as Jarasandh ki Baithak after the mythical Hindu king Jarasandh.

        A rocky path from Pippala caves leads to the seven caves of Saptaparni, where the First Buddhist Council was held to codify the teachings of the Great Master. Rajgir is also sacred to the followers of the Jain religion. Vardhaman Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, spent 14 rainy seasons here and many of the hilltops are crowned with Jain temples. A short drive from Venuvana Vihara leads to Virayatna, a Jain ashram, with a residential area and a museum. The cylindercal Jain shrine of the Maniyar Math is decorated with stucco figures. The Sonebhandar caves, a short distance from Maniyar Math were built by the Jain saint Vairadeve.