Vaishali
Vaishali
today is a small village known for its 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. Vaishali, on the left bank of the Gandak river,
is spiritually supreme : Lord Buddha visited this place frequently
and at Kolhua, close by, preached his last sermon. One of the
famous lion pillars have been erected here by Emperor Ashoka.
A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha - Vaishali
hosted the second great Buddhist council. Jainism, too, has its
origins in Vaishali, for in 527 B.C., Lord Mahavir was born here
and lived in Vaishali till he was 22. Vaishali is then twice blessed
and remains an important pilgrim centre for both Buddhists and
Jains and other religions also.
Vaishali has a past that pre-dates recorded history. It is held
that the town derives its name from King Vishal, whose heroic
deeds are narrated in the Hindu epic Ramayana. However, history
records that around the time Pataliputra was the centre of political
activity in the Gangetic plains, Vaishali came into existence
as centre of the Ganga, it was the seat of the Republic of Vajji.
Vaishali is credited with being the World's First Republic to
have a duly elected assembly of representatives and efficient
administration.
The
Chinese travellers Fa-Hien and Hieun Tsang also visited this place
in early 5th and 7th centuries respectively and wrote about Vaishali.
While
talking of the famous men and women associated with Vaishali,
Amrapali was the cynosure not only of Vaishali but of the neighbouring
kingdoms as well.
Therefore,
to avert bloodshed, the parliament of Vaishali declared her to
be a Court dancer besides consigning her to lifelong spinsterhood.
Later she became a devout Buddhist and served the Lord Buddha.
TREASURES
OF VAISHALI:
Ashokan
Pillar:
The Lion Pillar at kolhua, was built by Emperor Ashoka. It is
made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone, surmounted
by bell shaped capital, 18.3m. high. A life-size figure of a lion
is placed on top of the pillar. There is a small tank here known
as Ramkund.
Bawan
Pokhar Temple:
An old temple built in the Pala period stands on the northern
bank of a tank known as Bawan Pokhar and enshrines beautiful images
of several Hindu gods.
Buddha
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.
Buddha
Stupa-II :
Excavation at this site in 1958 led to the discovery of another
casket containing the ashes of the Lord Buddha.
Raja
Vishal ka Garh:
A huge mound with a circumference about one Kilometre and walls
nearly 2m. 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 Buddh Vehar
Society.
Kundupur
(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.
Coronation
Tank :
Coronation Tank or Abhishekh Pushkarni, Its water were believed
to be sacred in the old days and all of Vaishali's elected representatives
were anointed here before their swearing in.
OTHER
PLACES OF INTEREST
Chaumukhi
Mahadeva, Harikatora Temple, Lotus Tank and Miranji-Ki-Dargah,
Jain Temple etc.
Altitude:52
metres.
Temperature: (Max./Min.) Summer 44 Deg C/21 Deg C. Winter
23 Deg C/6 Deg C.
Rainfall: 120 cms.
Best Season: October to March.
Travel
Info:
Air : The nearest airport is Patna, 56 Km.
Rail : Hajipur on the North Eastern Railway is the nearest
railway station, 35 Km.
Road : Vaishali is well connected by road to Patna (56
Km), Muzzaffarpur (36 Km) and Hajipur (35 Km).
Cities:-
Bodhgaya
| Kesaria | Lauria
Nandangarh | Nalanda | Patna
| Pawapuri | Rajgir
| Vikramshila
