Rajgir Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Rajgir

Venu Vana is an artificial forest, a sanctuary for enjoying peace and meditation. It is a beautiful cloister created by emperor Bimbisara for Lord Buddha. The Venu Vana has a monastery.

Cyclopean Masonry was meant for the fortification of the capital city of Rajgir. It is a kind of stone wall constructed with huge limestone boulders similar to Mycenaean architecture. This Pre-Maurayan structure does not exist in its glorious form, but its traces boast the grandeur of its existence in ancient times.

Sonbhandar Caves have a glorious past and witnessed many important events. It is essentially a two cave domiciliation, one of them is believed to have served as guard room and another as a treasure room.

Legend holds that the passage leads to the king’ Bimbisara’s treasure that still lies unexploited. An undeciphered inscription adds to the enigma of the cave. The Sonbhandar caves, is a great attraction for its historical associations with Bimbisar.

The Ajatshatru Fort, was built by Ajatshatru who was the then ruler of Magadha. The fort is one of its kind and is worth a visit.

Vishwa Shanti Stupa, also called the Peace Pagoda, is a legendary historical pillar. It is located at the highest point of Ranagiri hill, at an altitude of 400 m, qualifying its serene charm as divine. The stupa is made up of white marble stones, symbolic of world peace and enshrines four golden statues of Buddha. It can be reached by means of a ropeway.

Bimbisar Jail offers a beautiful view of Griddhakuta hill as well as the Japanese pagoda. Bimbisar, a staunch disciple of Lord Buddha, was imprisoned by son Ajatshatru. Ajatshatru asked his father to choose the place of his imprisonment. King Bimbisar chose a spot from where he could see Lord Buddha.

Chariot Route Marks is the name given to the mystifying rock which is cut into two deep parallel grooves for almost thirty feet. They are worth visiting. Many opine that this is the path of Lord Krishna’s chariot. Fuelling the mystery of the place is a non deciphered script dating from the 1st to 5th century AD, engraved in the rock around the chariot marks.

Jarasandh ka akhara is a primarily a battlefield. It derives its name and identity from the name of Maghdan emperor Jarasandha. The battlefield is symbolic of the war between Bhima and King Jarasandh.

Jivakameavan Gardens honour, Jivaka who was the royal physician in the time of King Ajatshatru and King Bimbasara. It is believed that even Lord Buddha consulted Jivika.

Karanda Tank speaks of the glorious past of the Mauryans and brilliantly erected structures. According to a popular myth Lord Buddha used to take bath in this pond during his stay at this place.

Rajgir is the prominent sacred spot for followers of Jainism since bygone times. It is also famous as Panch Pahadi. It is from these temples that many austere saints through intense meditation and penance attained salvation.

Mahaveer, the founder of Jainism also frequented the temples several times. In and around the Rajgir hill, there are a total of 26 temples that can be reached by trekking. In addition to religious appeal the place is exciting for adventure lovers.

Hot water springs, also called Brahmakund, lie at the foot of Vaibhava Hill. The hot water in the spring comes from the 'Saptadhara', the seven streams. The hottest spring has water up to 45 degree centigrade of temperature. Men and women have separate ponds for bathing. These springs boast of great medicinal value for curing skin diseases in particular.

Pippala Cave are situated above the Vaibhava hills. The distinguishing feature of this cave is that this is a natural cave and served as a watchtower. Later it served as a safe den for Buddhist monks.