Things to Do in Rajgir

Vishwa Shanti Stupa is a huge white stupa situated at a height of 400 metres on the Ratnagiri hill in Rajgir. It is made of white marble and has four shining golden Buddha statues on the corners of the Stupa. The four Buddha statues represent four important events of the life of Lord Buddha.

Also called the Gridhakuta, Vishwa Shanti Stupa is one of the most famous tourist places to visit in Rajgir that can be reached via ropeways. You can also visit a small Japanese Buddhist Temple located within the Stupa premises and the temple also has a large park. There is also a temple or pagoda where prayers for universal peace are conducted. It is also one of 80 Peace Pagodas built all around the world by Nipponzan Myohoji, a neo-Buddhist organisation.

Location: Vishwa Shanti Stupa Rd, Rajgir, Bihar 803121, India

Timings: 9 AM to 5.30 PM

Price: INR 60 for chairlift

The breathtaking Venuvana was built by Bimbisar, a powerful Magadh Emperor, as a residence for Lord Buddha. An artificial forest and a sanctuary built to enjoy peace and meditation, Venuvana was the first offering made by the emperor to Lord Gautama Buddha. There is also a monastery within the premises and Lord Buddha used to meditate here.

Here you can admire the huge and beautiful Bamboo Grove, flowers, and a large pond with a statue of Buddha in the centre of the pond. You can stay in the numerous hotels located near the Venuvan. There is also a Japanese Buddha temple on the backside of the garden which you can explore while visiting here. You can enjoy the serenity of this place while taking a stroll around the garden or by sitting in one peaceful place. You can also meditate near the pond early in the morning or during the evening under the shade of trees.

Location: Nimal, Rajgir, Bihar 803121, India

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

Price: INR 7 per head for Indians, INR 100 per head for foreigners

Leading you to the top of the Ratnagiri Hill, the Rajgir Ropeway is considered to be the country’s oldest ropeway. Taking you to an altitude of around 1000 feet above the sea level, this chairlift ropeway lets you soak in the breathtaking panoramic views of charming Pant Wildlife Sanctuary and the majestic peaks of Udaygiri, Vaibhagiri, Songiri, and Vipalachal.

The ropeway is usually taken by the Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist pilgrims, who use the charlift as a medium of transport to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, which is located at the top of the Ratnagiri Hill.

Location: Bihar Sharif - Rajgir Road, Dhanawa, Nalanda, Bihar 803111, India

Timings: Monday to Saturday - 8 AM to 5 PM, Sunday - 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM

Price: INR 60 per head for adults, INR 30 per head for children

Swarna Bhandar or the Son Bhandar caves are a set of two artificial caves carved out of a single massive rock. As per the inscriptions found inside the caves, they date back to the 3rd or the 4th century and belong to the Jains. The main cave is rectangular in shape and has a pointed ceiling with a trapezoidal entrance, similar to the Barabar Caves, the first artificial caves.

The main cave was built during the Mauryan empire and has a votive Jain stele inside. The surface of the cave is partially polished. The second cave also dates back to the 3rd-4th century AD and has been mostly destroyed. This cave houses many spectacular Jain relics and sculptures on the walls of the cave. It is an ideal tourist place in Rajgir for history buffs.

Location: Rajgir, Bihar 803116, India

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM

After becoming a King, Ajatshatru put his father King Bimbisara in this jail built inside the Ajatshatru Fort. It is one of the most well-known places to visit in Rajgir because of its ancient history. The king was detained here because of his devotion to Lord Buddha and was moved to another small room during his last days so that he can see and hear Lord Buddha who was staying in the fort at that time.

Surrounded by stone pillars and high walls, this jail is situated near the Maniyar Math. You can admire the ruins and learn about Indian history and also get a panoramic view of the famous Japanese Peace Pagoda at the top of the hill. You can also explore the Ajatshatru fort, Shanti Stupa, and the Cyclopean wall nearby.

Location: NH 82, Rajgir, Bihar 803116, India

Makhdum or Makhdoom Kund is a dargah and a hot water spring dedicated to a Sufi saint, Makhdum Shah. This kund is famous for its sanctity and is visited by both the Hindu and Muslim sect. The saint lived in the forest of Rajgir for 12 years and used to regularly visit the kund. It is believed that the water of the kund never dries.

The water of the pond is also believed to be blessed by some divine powers and people come here to seek the blessing of the Sufi Saint. This popular tourist place in Rajgir is especially populated on festivals like Eid-Ul-Fitr, Diwali, and Holi. The best time to visit the Makhdum Kund is during the winter season and you can even take a dip in the warm water of the pond.

Location: Nimal, Rajgir, Bihar 803121, India

Timings: 8 AM to 7 PM

The Cyclopean Wall is a 40 kilometre long stone wall encircling the entire Rajgir (formerly known as Rajgriha). It is one of the beautiful places to visit in Rajgir and the oldest examples of cyclopean masonry found across the world. It was built by King Jarasandh, 2nd ruler of Brihadratha or Rawani dynasty to protect the city from invaders and enemies.

This wall is protected by the National Monument and most of the wall has been destroyed with time. Built with huge limestone boulders without any use of mortar and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1987. You can also see the Chariot Wheel Marks near the Cyclopean Wall and engravings in an unencrypted script around the Route Marks of the Chariot. The engravings are supposed to be made sometime between the 1st and 5the century AD.

Location: NH82, Nimal, Rajgir, Bihar 803116, India

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

Saptaparni Caves, also known as the Saptaparni Guha or the Sattapanni Guha literally means the seven-leaves-cave. This Buddhist cave is considered as the place where Buddha resided here for some time before his death and also as the place where the first-ever Buddhist Council was held after Buddha’s death.

Being one of the most famous places to visit in Rajgir, the Saptaparni Caves can be reached by taking a 40-minute uphill hike from the backside of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. You can also visit the Hindu and Jain temples near the caves. You can also enjoy the beautiful atmosphere nearby and relax on the natural rock platforms. It is said that Lord Buddha meditated in the caves and you can also enjoy the peace and spiritual vibes of the place.

Location: Rajgir(Nalanda), Bihar 803116, India

Timings: 6 AM to 4 PM

Another famous tourist place in Rajgir is the Pant Wildlife Sanctuary located near the Bimbisara Jail in Rajgir. It falls under the Nalanda forest division and has a patch of forests in the beautiful Rajgir hills in the Gangetic Plain. You can see a variety of flora and fauna and several ecosystem services to the landscape nearby.

There are five mountains in the premises of the Pant Wildlife Sanctuary namely Ratnagiri, Vaibhavgiri, Vipulgiri, Udaygiri, and Songiri. You can also see various illustrations and auspicious hammocks belonging to the Jain and Buddha era. You can see wild animals like Tigers, Elephants, Barking Deer, Nilgai, and Sloth bears who live in their natural habitat inside the sanctuary. You can also enjoy adventurous activities like hiking in the beautiful and scenic surroundings of the sanctuary.

Location: Rajgir, Bihar 803116, India

Timings: 7 AM to 4 PM

Located near the Swarna Bhandar, the Maniyar Math is just a deep well with a small Jain temple built on it. This monastery is situated near the Warm Water Spring in Rajgir. In Jain history, it was known as the Nirman Koop of the Queen Chalanna and Sheel Bhadra. It is also considered to be a Yagna place during the Buddhist era.

Maniyar Math is made up of cylindrical bricks and is an amazing specimen of the Gupta period. It is one of the well-known places to visit in Rajgir and was built in remembrance of Naga Salibadra, who is supposed to have buried his treasure in the well. Many statues were found during the excavations conducted in 1861-62. You can also see numerous high stucco images of Lord Shiva and Ganesha belonging to the Gupta period and also many minor structures built for religious and ritual purposes.

Location: Rajgir, Bihar, India

Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM

Located near the Jarasandha monuments, the Chariot Wheel Marks can be described as thirty feet long and deep marks on the rocks. As per the folklore, these Chariot Wheel Marks were made by the Chariot of Lord Krishna from the time when he came to Rajgir during the Mahabharata times. It is believed that the marks were made due to the power and high speed of the Chariot.

Here you can also see the engravings made around the Chariot Wheel Marks, also known as the Chariot Route Marks, making this unique spot one of the popular places to visit in Rajgir. The language of the engraved script is still unknown to historians and is estimated to belong to a time between the 1st century AD and the 5th century AD.

Location: National Highway 82, Rajgir, Bihar 803116, India

Dating back to the Mahabharata times, the Pandu Pokhar stretches in about 22 acres in Rajgir. As per the historical stories, when King Pandu attacked Rajgir (previously known as Rajgriha), he converted the area into a stable and a swale was created here and the swale filled up with rainwater to give existence to the present Pandu Pokhar.

This area has been converted into an entertainment park where you can enjoy various adventurous outdoor activities like Bull riding, Horse riding, Bungee jumping, Zipline, Trampoline, Boating, and a Bouncy for the kids. The sports complex here offers ample space to play cricket, volleyball, badminton, and basketball. There is also a Selfie Point where you can take pictures of yourself and the beautiful landscape. There are also several indoor activities options such as Table Tennis, Pool Table, Air Hockey, Table Soccer, and Carrom.

Location: Veerayatan Road, Rajgir, Bihar 803116, India

Timings: 7.35 AM to 10.50 PM

Opened in 1982, Veerayatan Museum or the Kala Mandir is one of the prominent tourist places to visit in Rajgir. It has been dedicated to Jainism and exhibits several artefacts and homemade objects representing the teachings and lives of the 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism. Due to its location in the foothills of the Vaibhav Giri hills, the museum has a very peaceful and serene atmosphere.

You can see more than 50 three-dimensional models of the lives and teachings of Tirthankaras, all created with metals and wood. All the artistic handmade representations showcased here are designed by Acharya Shri Chandanaji. You can also visit the frequent exhibition of the artwork of Acharya Shri Ji, which is held inside the museum. You can also learn about the history, significance, preachings, and popularity of the Jain religion through the exhibits.

Location: Rajgir, Bihar 803116, India

Timings: 9 AM to 7 PM

This historical monument was built more than 2500 years ago, during the reign of King Ajatshatru. This beautiful tourist place in Rajgir is one of the finest forts built in India till now. This ancient architectural marvel houses many chambers built for the courtiers and the royal family which were embellished with several precious jewels.

One of the major attractions in the Ajatshatru Fort is the Bimbisara Jail, named after Ajatshatru’s father King Bimbisar. King Bimbisar was imprisoned in this jail due to his intense devotion to Buddha. There was also a secret tunnel under the fort whose depth is unknown because of the devastation. You can take photographs here and capture the well-preserved history of the fort. It is a centre of attraction for many history enthusiasts and scholars.

Location: Bangali Para, Rajgir, Bihar 803116, India}

Timings: 8 AM to 6 PM

Price: INR 100 per head

The largest amusement park in Patna city, the very popular Amaze Water World is one of the best recreational places to visit in Rajgir. Spread across an area of whooping 7 acres, this gorgeous recreational center is facilitated with a water park and an amusement park, which have exhilarating water and land rides for kids as well as adults.

The water park is equipped with main body slides, tower slides, mat slides, tube slides, a wave pool, and a water play station. The amusement park has a total of 10 amusement rides and attractions including Jumping Frog, the Columbus, the Baby train, bungee jumping, bull ride, striking car, ropeway, roller coaster, and swing chair. The park can also arrange for corporate events and private parties for its guests on special demand.

Location: Plot No. 100, Ordnance Factory Road, Rajgir, Nalanda, Sithaura, Bihar 803116, India

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM

Price: INR 100 to INR 2000

Since it is the place where Lord Mahavira took his last breath, Pawapuri is considered as one of the most significant pilgrimage centres in India among Jain followers. He was cremated at the current Jal Mandir site, which is a world-famous white marble temple set inside a wide pond. Pawapuri is a beautiful place to visit in Bihar, not just because it is considered as a holy place for Jains. There is a lot around Pawapuri that makes it a must-visit destination, ranging from the world's oldest university to age-old complexes and ancient temples to sacred ponds.

Pawapuri is best visited from October to the end of April, when the weather is cool and nice, allowing visitors to stroll around and explore the town's beauty in comfort. It is, however, a year-round destination for history buffs who come to learn about the region's past and hear its legends and fables. Pawapuri is also known as the Sinless Town, since no one dares to sin on Lord Mahavira's pristine land. So, what are you waiting for? Visit all these historical marvels and make your vacation wonderful!

Location: Nalanda district in the Bihar state of Eastern India

Timings:  6:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Ghora Katora Lake, near Rajgir, is a very lovely and mesmerizing place. The horses of the Rajgir kings are said to have drunk water from here and therefore, the lake's form is similar to that of a horse. It is surrounded on three sides by mountains and is next to the World Peace Pagoda. You need to take the traditional "tonga" as private vehicles are not allowed. It's 6 kms from the main road and the journey towards this place is very mesmerizing.

The first glimpse itself will take your heart away. The lake looks picturesque and is ideal for strolling across it and taking wonderful pictures. Boating is also available here and visitors can enjoy a quality time with their family and for seeking some calmness away from the chaos of hustling life. The preferable time to visit this place is during the early winters.

Location: Near the city of Rajgir in the Indian state of Bihar

Timings: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM