View source for Buddhist circuit: Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Vaishali, Vikramshila

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[[Category: India |B]]
[[Category: Places |B]]
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=Buddhist circuit: Bodh Gaya,  Rajgir,  Nalanda=

By Dr. Vinita Gardner

'' India Harmony '' VOLUME - 1 : ISSUE – 6 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 2012

[[File: bodh gaya.png||frame|500px]]  

The pivotal point from where the inveterate
traveller, the culture-vulture, the avid historian, the blessed Buddhist or the Jain
journeying to keep a rendezvous with the genesis
of his non-violent faith, can reach sublime
fulfilment, is Patna.

[[File: The ruins of Patliputra.png| The ruins of Patliputra|frame|500px]] 

Metamorphosing through the millennia into the
modern Patna, the original imperial metropolis
was Patliputra which played host to many
distinguished Hindu dynasties which held sway
over the memorable Magadh Empire. However,
even before that there was a time when....

Rajgir, was the capital of the Magadh Mahajanpad
(State) when Patliputra was not formed. In those
days it was called Rajgrih. Rajgir or Rajgrih,
means the home of Royalty. Situated in a scenic
valley, amidst a fascinating complex of temples
and monasteries, it was one of the Buddha's
favorite places; particularly Jivekarman
monastery, where The Enlightened One spent a lot
of time.

[[File: Taking a dip in the therapeutic ponds at Rajgir.png| Taking a dip in the therapeutic ponds at Rajgir|frame|left|500px]] 

The teachings of Buddha were penned down at
Rajgir and it was also the venue for the first
Buddhist Council. Today Rajgir has come up as
one of the most important pilgrimage centres for
devout Buddhists. Rajgir also has some very
beautiful Hindu and Jain temples which attract
Hindus and Jains to this place.

[[File: a congregation of Buddhist Monks.png|a congregation of Buddhist Monks|frame|500px]] 

Not merely as a place of worship, but Rajgir has
also come up as a significant health and winter
resort with its warm water ponds containing
therapeutic medicinal properties for the cure of
various skin ailments.

An added attraction of Rajgir, 92 kms from
modern Patna, is the Ropeway which takes you
uphill to the Shanti Stupa and Monasteries built
by the Japanese Devotees on top of the Ratnagiri
hills. The places around Rajgir are famous for
stone sculptures and bowls and you can harvest a
rich
haul of
memora
bilia of
your
visit
here!

[[File: Nalanda Museum.png|Nalanda Museum|frame|500px]] 

If you
time it
right,
you can
treat
yourself
to the
colorful
festival
of classical and
folk dances
organized here in
October or witness
the Chhath Puja or Sun
worship held twice a year in
April-May and in October -
November in Surya Temple,
the Sun temple of Surajpur
Baragaon, nearby.

[[File: Sariputta Stupa.png|Sariputta Stupa|frame|500px]] 

The world famous Nalanda
University, approximately
12 kms from Rajgir, many
times host to the
enlightened Buddha, shot to
fame as a result of the
enlightened descriptions of
the celebrated Chinese
traveller, Hieun Tsang, who
stayed here in the 7th
century A.D.

[[File: Dalai Lama with CM Nitish Kumar and Hollywood actor Richard Gere.png|Dalai Lama with CM Nitish Kumar and Hollywood actor Richard Gere|frame|500px]] 


The benevolent Gupta kings patronized these
monasteries, built in old Kushan architectural
style, in a row of cells around a courtyard.
Emperor Ashoka and Harshavardhana were some
of its most celebrated patrons who built temples,
monasteries and viharas here.

[[File: Ratnagiri.png|Ratnagiri|frame|left|500px]]

[[File: Lord Buddha in various poses.png|Lord Buddha in various poses|frame|500px]]  

In this most ancient seat of learning, the first
residential international university of the world,
2,000 teachers and 10,000 monks students from
all over the Buddhist world lived and studied here.
In 1951 an international Centre for Buddhist
Studies was established. Nearby is the famous
Bihar Sharif, where an annual Urs is celebrated at
the Dargah of Malik Ibrahim Baya.

The immensely impressive Nalanda University
Ruins Archaeological Complex, spread over an
approximate area of 14 hectares, has all its
edifices of red brick and a profusion of beautiful
gardens!

[[File: Pilgrims under the Bodhi tree at Gaya.png|Pilgrims under the Bodhi tree at Gaya|frame|500px]] 

The buildings are divided by a central walk way
that goes south to north. The monasteries or
"Viharas" are east of this central alley and the
temple or "Chaiyas" to the west.

The enormous pyramidal mass of the Temple
No.3 is impressive and from its top commands a
splendid view of the entire area. It is surrounded
by smaller stupas, many of which are aesthetically
studded with small and big statues of the Lord
Buddha in various poses or "Mudras".

The Nalanda Archaeological Museum, which
incorporates a riveting collection of copper plates
and stone inscriptions, coins, pottery and samples
of burnt rice (12th century AD) found among the
ruins here, has two enormous terra-cotta jars of
the first century standing intact behind the
museum in a shaded enclosure.

Opposite the entrance to the ruins of the university
and houses, there is a small but beautiful
collection of Buddhist and Hindu bronzes and a
number of undamaged statues of the Lord Buddha
that were found in the area.

Less than 20 kms from Nalanda lies Pawapuri, a
holy place of pilgrimage for the Jains! Known
also as Apapuri, Lord Mahavira, the final
Tirthankara and founder of Jainism, breathed his
last at this place, and was cremated here around
500 B.C. It is said that the demand for his ashes
was so great that a large amount of soil was
removed from around the funeral pyre, creating
the water tank!

A marble temple, the “Jalmandir”, was later built
in the middle of the tank, and is now a major
pilgrimage spot for Jains and a visit to this sacred
spot, an absolution of their sins!

Devout Jains desirous of visiting the sacred
Jalmandir and the Jain temple of Samosharan
here, can conveniently take a bus or taxi from
Patna, Rajgir, Gaya or other major cities of Bihar
to visit Pawapuri.

While the temple of Vishnupad, picturesquely
perched on the bank of river Falgu in Gaya,
attracts innumerable pilgrims from all over the
world, Gaya itself is considered an immensely
sacred centre of pilgrimage for the Hindus!
Oblations are offered here for the salvation of the
dead parents and forefathers of pilgrims
journeying here.

Bodhgaya, undoubtedly the holiest amongst
holy places of devout Buddhists the world
over, is where Prince Siddharatha attained
supreme enlightenment and became Buddha,
The Enlightened One! The birthplace of
Buddhism, the present Bodhi Tree here, is
fifth in succession to the original tree under
which Lord Buddha received his Awakening
and attained enlightenment.

The ancient Mahabodhi Temple, the railings
and the Ashokan pillar are of great historical
as well as architectural importance. The
many modern monasteries of Japan, Thailand,
China, Tibet, Mayamar, Bhutan and Sri
Lanka, architecturally representative of their
respective countries, are extremely colorful
and remain humming with religious activities,
in an ambience of benevolent benediction for
your searching soul !!
=Archaeological discovery=

'' India Harmony '' VOLUME - 1 : ISSUE – 6  SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER, 2012 

'''  RAJGIR - An important discovery ''' 

Will a Buddhist stupa dating back to the fifth century B.C., recently discovered at Rajgir in Bihar,
yield a long-lost casket containing the relics of Buddha?

[[File: RAJGIR.png| RAJGIR|frame|500px]]

''' VASHALI '''
 
[[File: VASHALI.png| VASHALI |frame|500px]]
 
''' NALANDA ''' 

[[File: NALANDA.png| NALANDA |frame|500px]]

''' VIKRAMSHILA '''

[[File: VIKRAMSHILA.png| VIKRAMSHILA |frame|500px]]