V
aishali
today is a small village surrounded by banana and mango groves as well
as rice fields.
But excavations in the area have brought to light an impressive historical
past. The epic Ramayana tells the story of the heroic King Vishal who
ruled here. Historians maintain that one of the world's first democratic
republics with an elected assembly of representatives flourished here
in the 6th century B.C. in the time of the Vajjis and the Lichchavis.
And while Pataliputra, capital of the Mauryas and the Guptas, held political
sway over the Gangetic plain, Vaishali was the center for trade and
industry.
Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and
at Kolhua, close by, preached his last sermon. To commemorate the event,
Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected one of his famous lion
pillars here. A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha
- Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected
to commemorate this event. Jainism, too, has its origins in Vaishali,
for in 527 B.C., Lord Mahavir was born on the outskirts of the city, and
lived in Vaishali till he was 22. Vaishali is then twice blessed and remains
an important pilgrim center for both Buddhists and Jains, attracting also
historians foraging for the past.
On the outskirts of Vaishali stood the grand double
storied Buddhist monastery. Buddha often discoursed here. He extended spiritual enfranchisement to women by admitting
them to the Holy Order which was founded here. Legend has it that on one
of his visits, several monkeys dug up a tank for his comfortable stay
and offered him a bowl of honey. This is regarded as one of the great
incidents in the legends of Buddha, who announced his approaching Nirvana
and preached his last sermon here.
The Lichchhavis came a long way to bid him farewell on his way to Kushinagara
and finally, they were stopped by a river created by Buddha. He once again
paused to have a last of his much loved city. As a piety for Vaishali,
he had already given his alms bowl which remained here for long time.
A life size-pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates
Buddha's last sermon and announcement of his approaching nirvana. The
lion faces north, the direction Buddha took on his last voyage. Adjacent
to this is the tank associated with the monkeys offering honey. Nearby
are the skeletal remains of a monastery where Buddha resided and a votive
stupas dot the region.
Vaishali museum houses some of the archaeological remains discovered here.
Facing the museum is the Abhishek Pushkarni which was holy to Lichchhavis.
On one side of the lake is newly built Vishwa Shanti Stupa, a sixth in
the series to be erected in India. Close to the museum is the shaded stupa
which is supposed to have housed the casket relic with the ashes of Buddha.
Archaeologists have uncovered a good deal of Vaishali. It begins with
a huge mound which is associated with the ancient Parliament referred
to Raja Vaihala Ka Garh. Bawan Pokhar temple houses a rich collection
of black basalt images dating back to the Gupta and Pala period. Another
black basalt, four headed Shivling (Choumukhi Mahadeva) was discovered
when a reservoir was being dug. Behind the bawan pokhar temple is a Jain
temple famous for its image of the Trithankar. A little distance from
these temples lies the Lotus Tank which used to be a picnic spot of the
Lichchhavis.
Further north at Lauria Areraj, 31 Kms from Motihari, lies one of the
Ashokan Columns with six of his edicts. The column is devoid of its capital.
Another Ashokan column along with the lion capital can be visited at Nandangarh,
23 kms from Bettiah. These pillars possibly mark the course of the ancient
Royal highway from Patliputra to Nepal valley. Few kilometers from the
monolith at Nandangarh is the mighty brick stupa which is believed to
have stored the casket relic containing the ashes of Buddha. At Nandangarh
one can also see a dozen vedic mounds that contain the remains of ruling
clans of pre-Buddhists times.
- Altitude:
52 metres
- Temperature (Max./Min.) Deg C:
Summer
44/21? Winter 23/6
- Rainfall:
120 cms
- Best Season:
October to March
Ashokan Pillar:
Emperor Ashoka built The Lion Pillar at Kolhua. It is made of a highly
polished single piece of red sandstone, surmounted by a bell shaped capital,
18.3 m high. A life-size figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar.
There is a small tank here known as Ramkund. This pillar beside a brick
stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha's last sermon.
Bawan Pokhar Temple:
An old
temple built in the Pala period stands on the northern bank of Bawan Pokhar
and enshrines beautiful images of several Hindu gods
Budha Stupa-I:
The exterior
of this stupa which is now in a dilapidated condition has a plain surface.
One eighth of the sacred ashes of the lord Buddha were enshrined here
in a stone casket.
Budha Stupa-II:
Excavation
at this site in 1958 led to the discovery of another casket containing
the ashes of the Lord Buddha.
Abhiskek Pushkarn (Coronation
tank):
It contains water that was believed to be sacred in the
old days. All of Vaishali's elected representative were anointed here
before their swearing in. The Lichchavi stupa was located near here.
The stone casket of the sacred ashes of Lord Buddha were
enshrined here in Vaishali.
Kundalpur:
Birth place
of Lord Mahavira. 4Km.It is believed that the Jain Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir
was born over 2550 years ago. Mahavir is said to have spent the first
22 years of his life here.
Raja Vishal ka Garh:
A huge
mound with a circumference about one Kilometer and walls nearly 2 m high
with a 43m wide moat around them, is said to be the ancient parliament
house. Over seven thousand representatives of the federal assembly gathered
here to legislate and discuss the problems of the day.
Shanti Stupa:
On the south
bank of the coronation tank, built by Buddha Vihar Society.
Other sites of Tourist interest:
,
,
![](/web/20140918090804im_/http://bstdc.bih.nic.in/images/bc29s.jpg)
Choumukhi Mahadeva
![](/web/20140918090804im_/http://bstdc.bih.nic.in/images/bc19s.jpg)
World Peace Pagoda
![](/web/20140918090804im_/http://bstdc.bih.nic.in/images/bc30s.jpg)
Vaishali Museum
- Air:
The nearest airport is Patna (70
Kms).
- Rail:
Hajipur on the north eastern railway
station (35 Kms) from Muzaffarpur Railway station (40 Kms)
- Road:
Vaishali is well connected by road
to Patna (56 Kms), Muzaffarpur (36 Kms) and Hazipur (35 Kms)
Tourist Bungalow:
Ambapali
Vihar, Vaishali-844128. Ph.0622-285425.
Rooms available:
Non-A/C Room (Dbl.),Non-A/C Room (Sngl.) and
Dormitory
Beds.
Facilities:
Restaurant,
Coach/Car Parking
Youth Hostel:
Room available:
Non-A/C
Room (Dbl.), Dormitory Beds.
Facilities:
Restaurant, Coach/Car Parking.
Local Handicrafts, Stone Sculptures and Madhubani
Paintings.
Shopping Center:
Main Shopping Center for Vaishali is Patna. At Maurya
Lok Complex, Near Dak Bunglow Crossing, Bailey Road, Patna.
Vaishali Mahotsava:
Vaishali
mahotsava is held to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Jain Tirthankar,
Lord Mahavir on the full moon day of the month of "Vaisakh"
(mid-April).
Sonepur
fair:
35 km. Sonepur situated on the confluence of river Ganga
and Gandak, hosts perhaps Asia's Biggest animal fair, from Kartik full
moon day (Oct./Nov). The Fair lasts for almost a fortnight. Millions of
visitors come to this typical fair.
Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation
offers
Swiss Cottages with attached baths etc. in the temporarily erected
Tourists Village during the period of Sonepur Mela.
Arts
and Crafts:
Several villages around Vaishali make delightful home
made toys.Sikki Work, the humble blade of grass is hand-woven into delightful
baskets and mats. Lac bangles, these handmade lac bangles come from nearby
city Muzaffarpur.
Patna:
55 Km.Turning over the pages of early Indian history one comes across
the name of the pre-eminent city of Patliputra. Located at the site where
Patna is today, this city saw the rise and fall of India's first major
Kingdoms. The Third Buddhists Council was held here.
Muzaffarpur:
35 km from
Vaishali.Muzaffarpur the "Lychee Kingdom", is one of the major
towns of North Bihar, a short distance from other popular tourist spots
Hazipur and Sonepur. It is also one of the oldest and largest trade
centers in the entire state. Today Muzaffarpur is famous for its exotic fruit
"LYCHEE". Tourist can stay at Tourist Bungalow-Lichchavi Vihar,
Muzaffarpur 842 001. Tel. 0621-268512.
|