About Rajgir

Situated in a valley, surrounded by seven hills, Rajgir is home to numerous temples, monasteries and other religious places. Called the ‘Abode of Kings’, it is known for its association with Lord Buddha as well as Lord Mahavir. It thus attracts hordes of history lovers, pilgrims, as well as visitors who wish to get a glimpse of India’s glorious past. Its strategic location, easy accessibility, tourist spots, plenty of accommodation options have all contributed in making Rajgir one of the prime tourist locations in the country.

Brief History of Rajgir

In ancient India, Rajgir was known by numerous other names including Vasumati, Barhadrathapura, Kusagrapura, Girivraja. Rajgir or Rajgriha literally means’ Abode of Kings’. It was the ancient capital of the Magadha kings. It is said that Gautam Buddha stayed here and delivered many sermons. His teachings were penned down for the first time in at this place. It is also believed that the first Buddhist Council was also held in Rajgir. Lord Mahavira is also said to have performed four ‘Chaturmas’ here and many of his devotees belonged to Rajgir. It is also known for its association with kings Bimbisara and Ajatashatru. It finds its mention in Buddhist and Jain scriptures and also the great epic,Mahabharata. The Viswa Shanti Stupa has been built here to spread the message of peace and non-violence to humanity. Read More.................

Geography and Climate of Rajgir

Rajgir city is located in a valley, surrounded by seven beautiful rocky hills. It is situated between 25° North latitude and 85° East longitude at an altitude of 73 metres above sea level. In summer, the maximum temperature is as high as 40°C, whereas the minimum temperature is around 20°C. The maximum winter temperature is 28°C, whereas the minimum temperature is about 6 °C. The best time to visit Rajgir therefore, is the period from October to March, when the climate is pleasant and nature is at its best. Read More.........................

Places of Interest In and Around Rajgir

The city of Rajgir is dotted with places that are known for their historical and mythological significance. The renowned Viswa Shanti Stupa along with the aerial ropeway is the most famous tourist spot that attracts people from far and wide. Griddhakuta, Venuvana, Saptaparni Caves, Jivaka Mango Gardens, Buddha’s Sculpture, Karnada Tank are some of the popular tourist spots in Rajgir. Other tourist attractions include the the hot water springs of Brahmakund, Bimbisara Jail, Pippala caves, the Jain Temples, Ajatashatru’s Fort, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Swarna Bhandar, Chariot Route Marks, Cyclopeon Walls, Jarasandh ka Akhara and many others. The historical sites of Nalanda, Gaya, Kundalpur and others nearby make excellent weekend getaways. Read More....................

Festivals Celebrated in Rajgir

Rajgir being an important pilgrim centre, the people here celebrate various festivals in a zealous and grand manner. These festivals apart from the rich cultural legacy also reflect the ‘Unity in Diversity’ observed among the people here. Some of the festivals celebrated in Rajgir include Makar Sankranti, Buddha Jayanti. Fairs area also part of Rajgir cultural life. Joyous kite festival is part of Makar Sankranti which is celebrated in the mid of January. Rajgir Dance Festival is organised by the State Tourism Department, showcasing dance, music and art performances. Buddha Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Buddha in May. Malamasa Mela is a fair celebrated every three years. Apart from these, festivals like Diwali, Holi, Id etc are celebrated by the people here.

Art and Culture in Rajgir

Rajgir is known for its rich culture and glorious past and also for its historical association with Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira. Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism and Sufism are the main religions followed here. Hindi, Bihari, English are the languages spoken by the people here. The traditional attire of the women here include sarees and salwar kameez, whereas the men prefer dhotis and kurta. However jeans, shirts, trousers are gaining popularity over the recent years. Their cuisine is primarily vegetarian, with simple yet healthy dishes. Wood work, stone sculptures and artistic bowls are famous crafts in Rajgir. The Veerayatan campus in Rajgir is home to Shri Brahmi Kala Mandiram, an art gallery featuring numerous hand designed paintings based on various themes. Read More.............

Economy and Industrialism in Rajgir

Tourism is a major contributor to the economy of Rajgir. Replete with tourist attractions, Rajgir attracts visitors from far and wide within the country as well as from abroad. The Aerial Ropeway is one of the highest revenue generating units for Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC). Therefore to promote tourism to its optimum, the government is making utmost efforts. Hotels, road side shops, food stalls are being set up near prominent tourist spots and help boost the economy of Rajgir. Agriculture is also practiced to a considerable extent in Rajgir, with onions, potato, paddy being the major crops grown here. An Ordnance Factory project has been undertaken to manufacture artillery shells in Rajgir.

Shopping in Rajgir

Rajgir is famous for woodwork. The wooden items include statues, keychains, pen stands, tables, lamps and other decorative items that can serve as excellent souvenirs. Small attractive statues of Gods and Goddesses, especially those of Lord Buddha are quite popular and are in demand among the tourists. You can buy a variety of handicrafts from the markets in Rajgir like Khatwa applique, papier mache, Madhubani paintings, printed handlooms, items made of Sikki, sea shell items, jewellery and many more. Curios and souvenirs can be purchased from the road side shops in Rajgir at attractive bargainable prices. The Kund Area and Ariel Ropeway are famous shopping destinations in Rajgir. Read More................

Transportation in Rajgir

As Rajgir does not have its own airport, tourists generally prefer the Gaya International Airport and Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport at Patna. Rajgir Raiway Station has regular trains to Varanasi, Danapur and New Delhi. Gaya is the next major railway point, connected to major adjoining cities. Rajgir is linked to other cities like Patna, Nalanda, Gaya, Pawapuri, Bihar Sharif etc by means of well-connected road network. Cycle rickshaws, auto rickshaws, decorated tongas form the means of local transport here. Bihar State Road Transportation Corporation ( BSRTC) run buses connect Rajgir to nearby cities. Apart from these, there are private agencies and tour operators, who provide private buses, luxury coaches, cabs and other personalized services, for the comfort of the visitors. Read More.................

Rajgir at a glance

Country: India
State: Bihar
District: Nalanda
Languages spoken: Hindi, Bihari, English
Altitude: 73 metres
Winter temperature: about 4°C to 28°C
Summer temperature: about 20°C to 40°C
Best time to visit: October to March
PIN: 803116
Std Code: 06119
Major tourist attractions: Viswa Shanti Stupa, Griddhakuta, Venuvana, Saptaparni Caves, Jivaka Mango Gardens, Buddha’s Sculpture, Karnada Tank, Brahmakund, Bimbisara Jail, Pippala caves, the Jain Temples, Ajatashatru’s Fort, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Swarna Bhandar, Chariot Route Marks, Cyclopeon Walls, Jarasandh ka Akhara etc.
Major festivals: Makar Sankranti, Baisakhi Purnima, Rajgir Dance festival, Malamasa Mela etc.