About Rajgir

Country: India | State: Bihar

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Rajgir: Patna (103 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Rajgir: October to March

Peak Season: November to February

At a distance of 12 km from Nalanda, 32 km from Bihar Shariff, 71 km from Bodhgaya, 103 km from Patna, 153 km from Muzaffarpur, 197 km from Darbhanga, 225 km from Dhanbad, 247 km from Ranchi, 295 km from Purulia, 310 km from Varanasi, 431 km from Allahabad, Rajgir is an ancient city in Nalanda district of Bihar. Known for its holy sites, it is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in India and among the must include places in Bihar Tour Packages.

Rajgir is a spiritual town set in a green valley and surrounded by rocky hills. The town finds its mention in the Mahabharata as the kingdom of Jarasandha, the arch-nemesis of Krishna and his Yadava clan. While the exact date of Rajgir's foundation is not known, ceramics dating to about 1000 BC have been found in the city. The famous 2500-year-old Cyclopean Wall (Cyclopean masonry) is also located in the city.

The city of Rajgir was the first capital of the kingdom of Magadha, until the 5th century BC when Udayin (460-440 BC), son of Ajatshatru, moved the capital to Pataliputra. In those days, it was called Rajgriha, which translates as 'the home of Royalty'. Notable in Jainism and Buddhism, it was the birthplace of the 20th Jain Tirthankara Munisuvrata, and closely associated with the Arihant Mahavira and Gautama Buddha. Both Lord Mahavira and Lord Buddha taught their beliefs in Rajgir during the 6th and 5th centuries BC. After Buddha's death, his disciples held their first Buddhist Council in the cave of Saptparni.

Set in a green valley and surrounded by rocky hills, Rajgir is a spiritual town with natural serenity in the form of dense forests, mysterious caves, and springs. Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Griddhakuta Peak, Rajgir Hot Springs, Venu Van, Ghora Katora Lake, Veerayatan Museum, Swarna Bhandar, Bimbisar Jail, The Cyclopean Wall, Ajatshatru Fort, etc., are some of the prominent places to visit in Rajgir.

Rajgir Dance Festival, also known as Rajgir Mahotsav, is one of the major and important events celebrated in Rajgir. Started in 1986, it is a 3-day annual cultural fest held in October or November every year at Qila Maidan in Rajgir. The event is organized by the Department of Tourism, Bihar for the promotion of the rich cultural classical and folk dances of India. Makar Sankranti is another popular festival in Rajgir celebrated with great pomp and fervor.

About 107 km from Rajgir, Patna Airport is the nearest airport which has well-connected flights from all the major cities of India. Rajgir Railway Station has well rail connectivity with cities like Danapur, Delhi, Fatuha, Gaya, Bakhtiyarpur, Tilaiya, Patna, and Kolkata. Rajgir is well connected by road as well with frequent buses plying to and from Patna, Bodh Gaya, and other nearby towns.

October to March is the best time to visit Rajgir when the climate is pleasantly cool and perfect for sightseeing. Besides, one can also visit the ancient city of Rajgir during monsoons as the city receives irregular rainfall. The occasional rains seem to add a natural shade to the city as it appears washed and fresh in this season. Avoid visiting summers as it is quite hot and it becomes really difficult to explore the city under the scorching heat of the sun.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Average
STD Code: 06112
Languages Spoken: Magadhi, Hindi, Maithili & English
Major Festivals: Makar Sankranti & Rajgir Dance Festival
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Rajgir

By Air

Nearest Airport: Patna - Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport (107 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Rajgir Railway Station (0 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Rajgir Bus Station (1 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Rajgir

Adventure

#1 of 17 Places to Visit in Rajgir

At a distance of 6 km from Rajgir Wildlife Safari, and 10 km from Rajgir Railway Station, the Nature Safari Park is a safari zone located in Rajgir, Bihar, India. Situated near Rajgir Zoo Safari Park, it is one of the must-visit places as part of Rajgir holiday packages.

Developed by the department of forests, environment and climate change department with an expenditure of Rs 19 crore, the Nature Safari is spread over an area of 500 acres in the hills of Rajgir. It is located in thick jungles on RajgirJethian Buddha Marg. Opened in 2021, it is said to be the first of its kind in the country. The Nature Safari offers its visitors the unique experiences of glass skywalk, suspension bridge, adventure park, and butterfly zone. The site also has an archery range, rock climbing walls, wrestling zone, watchtower, and children's park.

The 200- foot-high and 85-foot-long Glass Bridge is the main attraction of the Nature Safari. It will accommodate 40 visitors at a time. The bridge .....

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Nature

#2 of 17 Places to Visit in Rajgir

At a distance of 6 km from Rajgir Wildlife Safari, and 10 km from Rajgir Railway Station, the Glass Bridge is a viewing platform located in Rajgir, Bihar, India. Situated inside the Nature Safari Park, it is one of the must-visit places during the Rajgir tour.

Glass Bridge in Rajgir is built to boost tourism in Bihar. It is similar to the Glass Bridge built in Hangzhou Province of China. It is made using 3 glasses of 15 mm. This 85 feet long and 6 feet wide bridge will be able to accommodate 40 visitors at a time. However, due to security reasons, only 15 to 20 people can go to its last end.

The bridge is being constructed amid five picturesque hills in the Rajgir area of Bihar. One can observe the surrounding natural beauty through the clear glass floor and the surrounding open spaces on the bridge. Along with the glass bridge, one can also enjoy other activities such as ziplining, nature park safaris, picnics, and much more in the surroundings of the bridge. With this glass .....

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Wildlife

#3 of 17 Places to Visit in Rajgir

At a distance of 4 km from Rajgir Railway Station, the Rajgir Zoo Safari or Rajgir Wildlife Safari is a safari park located in Rajgir, Bihar, India. Situated next to Maniyar Math, it is one of the must-visit places for wildlife enthusiasts as part of Rajgir tour packages.

Located between the Vaibhgiri and Songiri mountains, Rajgir Wildlife Safari is adjacent to the Pant Wildlife Sanctuary at the foothills of the Jethian hill. The foundation stone was laid in 2017 by the Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar and was opened to the public on 20th February 2022 with 1,000 daily visitor capacity. The zoo safari has been developed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change at a cost of nearly 177 crore Indian rupees.

Spread over 472 acres, the Rajgir Wildlife Safari has been divided into five broad zones one each for lion, tiger, leopard, bear, and herbivores. There is an aviary zone, a butterfly park, an interpretation center, an orientation gallery, an amphitheater, .....

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Heritage

#4 of 17 Places to Visit in Rajgir

At a distance of 8 km from Rajgir Railway Station, Vishwa Shanti Stupa, also known as Japanese Stupa is a peace pagoda located in Rajgir, Bihar. Constructed atop the Ratnagiri Hill or Griddhakuta, it is one of the seven Peace Pagodas or Shanti Stupas in India and among the most visited tourist places in Rajgir.

Situated atop Ratnagiri Hill with an altitude of 400 m, Vishwa Shanti Stupa is the world's highest peace pagoda and is considered as the symbol of peace and harmony. It is conceptualized by renowned Buddhist monk Nipponzan Myohoji and built by Japanese monk Fujii Guruji in the year 1969. Built completely with marble, the stupa comprises four golden statues of Lord Buddha with each representing his life periods of birth, enlightenment, preaching, and death. Also, a temple is situated near this Stupa called the 'Nipponzan Myohoji'.

Besides, one can visit the famous Griddhakuta mountain from here where Lord Buddha used to sit and preach. It was at the Gridhakuta, the hill .....

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Heritage

#5 of 17 Places to Visit in Rajgir

At a distance of 2 km from Rajgir Railway Station, Ajatshatru Fort is a historical fort situated at Bangali Para locality of Rajgir town in Bihar. It is one of the most ancient forts in Bihar, and among the must-visit places as part of Rajgir Tour Packages.

Built-in 6th century BC during the rule of King Ajatshatru, the Ajatshatru Fort is a historical monument in Rajgir. It is more than 2500 years old and was considered one of the finest forts ever built in India. It was built in a rectangular-shape with four corners and each corner is covered with stone towers. The fort has a stupa which is also known as the Ajatshatru stupa spreading across 6.5 sq. m.

At present, the fort is now in ruins and hardly seems to be a fort at the first glance. However, it's a great place to visit and a major tourist attraction in Rajgir. It also serves as the perfect spot for photographers to preserve a glimpse of a very well-preserved history.

Timings: 8 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Rs. 100 .....

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Heritage

#6 of 17 Places to Visit in Rajgir

At a distance of 5 km from Rajgir Railway Station, Swarna Bhandar or Sonabhandar Caves are two artificial caves situated in Rajgir, Bihar. Situated near Maniyar Math, it is one of the famous places to visit in Rajgir as part of Bihar Tour Packages.

Situated on the southern slopes of the Vaibhavgiri Hills, Swarna Bhandar are two identical caverns belong to Jainism. An inscription in the rock at the entrance of the cave in Gupta characters of the 4th century CE mentions the construction of the cellar by a Jain Muni ('wise man') named Vairadeva, although some authors have suggested the caves could actually go back to the period of the Maurya empire from 319 to 180 BCE.

It is believed that the ancient caves of Son Bhandar, literally means treasure of gold, is home to a hidden gold treasure belong to King Bimbisara and is often called the Bimbisara Bhandar. Legend has it that there is a crazy amount of gold hidden inside the walls of the caves. Also, on one wall of the cave, you .....

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Heritage | Pilgrimage

#7 of 17 Places to Visit in Rajgir

At a distance of 3 km from Rajgir Railway Station, Rajgir Hot Springs are the sacred natural water springs in Rajgir, Bihar. Situated near Pandu Pokhar, it is one of the popular hot water springs in Bihar and among the prominent places of pilgrimage in Rajgir.

Situated at the foot of the Vaibhava Hill, Hot Water Springs are one of the most popular attractions of Rajgir. There are around seven Hot Springs in Rajgir which are considered to be sacred places for Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The water comes from the seven streams known as Saptadhara that are believed to originate from the Saptaparni Caves at the top of the hill. The Brahmakund Spring is regarded as the most sacred one as well as the hottest one with a temperature of around 45 degrees Celsius.

The Hot Springs are also known for their medicinal values which help to cure many skin ailments. The water from the spring is collected in an enclosure, which is accessible by a staircase. There are also faucets with running .....

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Heritage

#8 of 17 Places to Visit in Rajgir

At a distance of 7 km from Rajgir Railway Station, Cyclopean Wall is an ancient fort wall situated in Rajgir, Bihar. It is one of the oldest specimens of cyclopean masonry across the world, and among the must include places in Rajgir Tour Packages.

Constructed over Rajgir hill and plains, the Cyclopean Wall is 4 meters wide, and 40 km long fort wall of stone which encircled the entire ancient city Rajgriha. It was erected by King Jarasandha the 2nd ruler of Brihadratha (Rawani) dynasty before 324 BC using massive undressed stone to protect their capital from external invaders and enemies. It reminds the great administrative abilities of the Brihadratha (Rawani) dynasty.

Built of massive undressed stone carefully fitted together, the wall is one of the few important pre-Mauryan stone structures ever to have been found. Currently, under the protection of the National Monument, the wall does not exist around the city in its old glory and only some of its ruins are left here .....

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Heritage

#9 of 17 Places to Visit in Rajgir

At a distance of 4 km from Rajgir Railway Station, Saptaparni Cave is a Buddhist cave situated on Vaibhavgiri Hill in Rajgir, Bihar. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Bihar and among the must-visit Rajgir Tourist Places.

Saptparni Cave, also referred to as Sapta Parni Guha, literally Seven-leaves-cave is an important Buddhist cave site as it is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha spent some time before his death. And, this is also the site where the first Buddhist council was held after Buddha's parinirvana. It is here that a council of 500 monks decided to appoint Ananda (Buddha's cousin) and Upali, to deliver Buddha's teachings for the future generations after Buddha's death. The Buddha never wrote down his teachings. After the Saptaparni Caves meeting, Ananda created an oral tradition of Buddha's teaching from his memory, prefacing it with 'Thus have I heard on one occasion'. Upali is credited with reciting the Vinaya (discipline), or 'rules for the Bhikshus'.

A .....

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Wildlife

#10 of 17 Places to Visit in Rajgir

At a distance of 5 km from Rajgir Railway Station, Pant Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife park situated in Rajgir. Located near Bimbisara Jail, it is one of the popular wildlife sanctuaries in Bihar, and among the most visited tourist places in Rajgir.

Also known as Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary, Pant Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Nalanda forest division under the Nalanda district administration, Bihar, India. This sanctuary represents a remnant patch of forests nestled in the picturesque Rajgir hills within the South Gangetic Plain. This sanctuary provides numerous ecosystem services to the surrounding landscape including varieties of flora and fauna. Therefore, to protect this forest, a 35.84 sq. km was notified as Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1978.

The landscape of Pant Wildlife Sanctuary is uneven terrain enclosed by five mountains Ratnagiri, Vipulgiri, Vaibhavgiri, Songiri, and Udaygiri. It has various illustrations and the auspicious existence of hammocks .....

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