10/6/59 Rajgir, India part 1

The most importance place of Rajgir is Gridhrakuta Hill or vulture peak. There are 2 ways to go to peak of Gridhrakuta Hill, first is go along Bimbisara road which is rather long distance. The second way is going by Aerial Ropeway to Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Japanese Temple on Ratnagiri Hill, then take a walk along the walk way to peak of Gridhrakuta Hill, which is a better way since it can save your energy. You can use Bimbisara road to go down Gridhrakuta Hill.

Aerial Ropeway to Vishwa Shanti Stupa
Japanese Temple on Ratnagiri Hill
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

Vishwa Shanti Stupa
Japanese Temple on Ratnagiri Hill
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

Buddha statue
Vishwa Shanti Stupa
Japanese Temple on Ratnagiri Hill
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

Buddha statue
Vishwa Shanti Stupa
Japanese Temple on Ratnagiri Hill
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

Buddha statue
Vishwa Shanti Stupa
Japanese Temple on Ratnagiri Hill
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

Buddha statue
Vishwa Shanti Stupa
Japanese Temple on Ratnagiri Hill
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

Moggallana Cave
Gridhrakuta Hill or vulture peak
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

The first importance place of Gridhrakuta Hill is Moggallana Cave.

Moggallana Cave
Gridhrakuta Hill or vulture peak
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

The second importance place is Sukharakhata Cave or Boar’s Shelter Cave. These 2 caves, Moggallana Cave and Sukharakhata Cave, may represent the stone house on the Gridhrakuta Hill seen by the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang in the 7th century A.D. Inside one were found baked-clay Buddhist votive tablets.

Sukharakhata Cave or Boar’s Shelter Cave
Gridhrakuta Hill or vulture peak
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

Ruins
Gridhrakuta Hill or vulture peak
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

Ananda Kuti
Gridhrakuta Hill or vulture peak
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

Mulagandhakuti
Gridhrakuta Hill or vulture peak
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

The most importance place of Gridhrakuta Hill is Mulagandhakuti, on the top of the hill, which Lord Buddha used to stay.

Jivaka Amravana Vihara
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

Jivaka Amravana Vihara

Another interesting place of Rajgir is Jivaka Amravana Vihara. Jivaka was a renouned physician in the royal court of Bimbisara and Ajatshatru during 6th and 5th century B.C. He presented his extensive mango grove to Lord Buddha and constructed monastery for the community. These elliptical structures have been identified as Jivaka Amravana Vihara.

Chariot Wheel Mark and Shell Characters
Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

Chariot Wheel Mark and Shell Characters

This archeological area indicates some parts of chariot wheel mark and shell inscriptions. These shell inscriptions which have been found in many places in Rajgir and northern India have not yet been deciphored. Probably these shell inscriptions belong to 4th or 5th century A.D. according to legend the chariot wheel marks belong to the Mahabharata period.

Bimbisara Jail, Rajgir
Nalanda, Bihar, India

Bimbisara's Jail

This area enclosed by a thick stone wall with corner bastions may mark the prison in which King Bimbisara was confined by his son, Ajatasatru. In one of the stone cells inside is found an iron manacle.

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