Rajgir

Rajgir or the City of Kings is a city of historical significance in Indian history.  Located in the Nalanda district, Rajgir city in Bihar holds unprecedented spiritual significance in the Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist religions. Rajgir place in Indian history and mythology is prominent as the city finds its mention in the epic Mahabharata and was also the first capital of the Magadha Kingdom. The city is believed to be 2500-3000 years old and is also the place where the ancient university of Nalanda once stood. The places to visit in Rajgir are centered around historically and culturally significant sites.

Rajgir Overview

Best Time to Visit Rajgir

The weather in Rajgir is affected by its geographical location. Located in the northern plains in the Ganga basin, the city has a temperate climate. Rajgir temperature goes up to a maximum of 44 degrees Celsius in the summers and 28 degrees Celsius during the winter. The winters are chilly with minimum temperatures of 6 degrees Celsius. During the winter months, the Rajgir weather is pleasant and is the best time to visit Rajgir. Rajgir Place is extremely comfortable between the months of October to March. During this time, one can visit the tourist places in Rajgir without having to struggle against the weather.

How to Reach the Places to Visit in Rajgir

The tourist places in Rajgir are reachable and open to tourists all year round. The city has robust rail, road, and air connections. This city is just 110 km from Patna, the capital of Bihar, and 78 km from Gaya, the closest airport. It is connected via NH 120 and SH 71 and buses ply between these cities regularly. The nearest railway station that provides connectivity to the entire country is Gaya.

For local transport, one can book cabs or use the tongas for traveling around this city. You will find transportation to all places of interest in this city at affordable rates.

What are the Things to See and Do in Rajgir

This city is full of things to see and do and one can spend an entire day soaking in the historical monuments and sites. You can take a bath in the citys hot springs, which are formed by a congregation of 7 different springs. You can also go for a picnic near the Ghora Katora lake. The clear water and distant mountain provide a serene backdrop for a relaxing time. Visit Jarasandha ka Akhara and witness the grandness of the ancient wrestling arena where ancient armies trained themselves. You can also visit the Bimbisar Jail and make some time to take a look at the Shankhalipi inscriptions.

Places to Visit in Rajgir

This city opens up a unique opportunity for history lovers as well as people in search of spirituality. The city is surrounded by lush green hills that present great trekking options. You get to breathe in the air and take in the beauty that helps you understand why three major religions have such a deep connection to the city. Devotees from all over Asia used to make their way over to learn and study Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. The city can easily be called the cradle of all great ancient Indian empires that flourished in the Gangetic plains. The 2500-year history of the region is more than enough for it to call out to the spirit of adventure in people. You can also enjoy the ropeway and explore the mountains or just explore the historical ruins of the ancient city. Some of the popular places in the city include the following:

Vishwa Shanti Stupa

This big white Stupa is located at a height of 400 meters on Ratnagiri hill. The stupa is built of white marble and has four golden Buddha statues on its four corners that represent four significant events in Buddhas life.

Venuvana

This forest monastery was built by King Bimbisara for Gautam Buddha as a sanctuary for meditation and preaching in this city.

Bimbisara Jail

This is where Ajatshatru imprisoned his father after ascending to the throne. The jail is located within the Ajatshatru fort complex.

Cyclopean Wall

The Cyclopean wall is a 40 km long wall that used to encircle the ancient city. One of the earliest examples of cyclopean masonry, this wall was built by King Jarasandh of the Rawani dynasty.

Pant Wildlife Sanctuary

Located near the Ajatshatru fort in this city, the Pant wildlife sanctuary consists of highly diversified flora and fauna of the Gangetic plains.

Ghora Katora Lake

Said to be the place where the past kings used to bring their horses for drinking water. The lake is surrounded by mountains on three sides and is also close to the World Peace Pagoda.

Ajatshatru Fort

Built 2500 years ago by King Ajatshatru, the fort is one of the earliest forts in ancient India and the most frequented tourist place in this city. This ancient monument has significant historical value and is considered an architectural marvel.

Saptaparni Caves

Saptaparni or the seven leaves caves are said to be the dwelling place of Gautam Buddha for quite some time before his death. It's also the location where the first Buddhist Council after Buddhas death firmly establishes the position of this city as a city of significant importance in Buddhism.

Restaurants

This city has some very famous local eating joints and restaurants that you can try out. The cuisine is Bihari with lots of vegetarian options. The small eateries might not be fancy but the quality of the food is up there. The city also has other cuisines to offer. Along with North Indian cuisine, you can also find Chinese, Thai, and Japanese cuisine here thanks to the influx of devotees from these countries. From domestic to international tourists, there is cuisine to meet the taste palette of everyone in this city. You can enjoy sumptuous food at some of the local restaurants mentioned below:

Lotus Restaurant

Lotus Restaurant is an in-house restaurant of the Indo Hokke Hotel. Located on Veerayatan Road, the restaurant is known for its warm ambience and great food. The restaurant serves buffet breakfast and dinner, while the lunch is ala carte.

Boon Lite Cafe

The Boon Lite Cafe is a favourite among tourists and locals alike that visit Jalmandir. It is a pure vegetarian restaurant that is known for its South Indian dishes.

Green Hotel

Located near the hot spring, the restaurant has a wide open space, is hygienic, and serves fresh food. The food may take some time to arrive, but the food is tasty, so people keep coming back.

Places to Stay

The city sees tourists coming in almost for the entirety of the year and as such offers great hospitality options for both overseas and domestic travellers. There are a number of resorts and good hotels in the city that offer comfort and great food. Some of the places to stay are mentioned below:

Gargee Gautam Vihar Resort

This is a premium resort that is one of the preferred hospitality venues for tourists. The resort offers great food and spacious rooms that allow you to relax once you are back from the day out.

Bodhi Retreat by Chk-Inn

Another great property that is known for its high quality of service and is conveniently located near the major city services and market areas.

Indo Hokke Hotel

This hotel provides a perfect blend of utility and modern design. The food is mouth-watering and the surrounding lush green lawn is just too good to ignore.

Pandu Pokhar Camping Pitch

This affordable hotel is really close to attractive tourist destinations and provides secure premises that you can use as a central point for your tour of this city.

Food to Try in Places to Visit in Rajgir

This city lies in the heartland of Bihar and has a rich culinary heritage. From the Magadha empire which had its capital in this city to the subsequent empires that made nearby Pataliputra their capital, every empire has left its mark on the cuisine of the region. When in this city, you must try the local Bihari cuisine, from Litti Chokha to Chana Ghugni to Sattu to even local Mutton dishes.

You can visit any of the restaurants in Rajgir and enjoy a sumptuous meal.

Things to Buy in the Places to Visit in Rajgir

This city enjoys a significant position in the Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist religions. The city has numerous religious sites that are of great historical and religious significance. In addition, there are numerous historical sites around the city that are common tourist attractions.

Nalanda Fancy Furniture House

The city is famous for its woodwork and you can find wooden statues, wooden handicrafts, and wooden decorative items at Nalanda Fancy Furniture House.

Kund Main Market

You will find authentic silk textiles in the Kund area's main market.

But when one does arrive at that fresh frontier, there are ways better than others to begin your journey of discovery. Follow these steps and see the world with a new light.

• Discover a new city through a food tour. Food tour's are the easiest way to take a tour, learn about the local delicacies, and the best of all, get great tips that aren't just "local" tips for tourists, but sometimes, lessons for a lifetime too
• Use Public Transportation. When you are in a new city, you can possibly see places and people that you wouldn't normally see when simply walking to the places that checks your list. Some buses or rails take you to parts of the city you wouldn't get to see otherwise. Whilst using public transportation, just ensure that you are following the local norms and do remember to watch the locals!
• Find a local festival. Go beyond what other tourists might do while visiting a place. Look for the unique things you would want to do. Use social media or the local tourism website to find out what's going on locally. You may have to move out of the center of the city to do some of the less popular but more unique things, so just keep that in mind!

Conclusion

The city of Rajgir Bihar is a place where spirituality can be found everywhere. Its where the great Magadha Kingdom first entered the history books and laid the foundation of numerous other great empires that would follow its path and rule the Indo-Gangetic plains. It is where Gautam Buddha preached from his forest monastery that was gifted by King Bimbisara, and the 20th Jain Tirthankara was born. The city is mixed in history, mythology, and religion, and carries the essence of the Indian culture of tolerance, inclusiveness, and brotherhood. It is no wonder that a study of this citys history is a study of the evolution of Indian society wherein people from different belief systems all coexist as well as a study of Indian history.