Ramchaura,Hajipur: Where Ananda's ashes were enshrined
Ramchura is situated in Hajipur town in Vaishali district of Bihar. In ancient times Hajipur was known as Ukkacala . The Buddha is known to have taught only one discourse in at this place, the Cula Goplalaka Sutta, which you can find in The Middle Length Discourses. However Hajipur is also of interest because a portion of Ananda's ashes were enshrined in the town.
When Ananda knew that his life was drawing to a close he set
off from Rajgir and headed north. King Ajatasattu heard about this and,
accompanied by his entourage, went after him with the intention of begging him
to stay. Meanwhile the people of Vaishali heard that Ananda was coming to their
territory and they flocked to the banks of the Ganges to welcome him. When king
Ajatasattu caught up with the aged saint his boat had already reached the
middle of the river Ganga. The crowds on both banks were imploring him to come
to their side. So as not to disappoint either party and to avoid the possibility
of conflict Ananda rose into the air and disappeared into a ball of flames.
Half his ashes fell on one side of the river, half on the other and stupas were
later built over each portion. The stupa built on the south bank of the Ganges
has long ago been washed away by the rivers constantly changing course but the
one on the northern bank is now a grassy mound with a Hindu temple on it
situated in Ramchaura, the western outskirts of Hajipur. The temple on the top
of the stupa is called Ramchaura Mandir.
Ananda was born in Kapilavatthu and was the Buddha's cousin
and one of his ten principal disciples, being the son of Amitodana, the brother
of the Buddha's father, Suddhodana. It was during the Buddha's first trip back
to Kapilavatthu after his enlightenment that Ananda, along with his brother
Anuruddha and his cousin Devadatta, became a monk. Amongst the Buddha's many
disciples, Ananda stood out for having the most retentive memory. Most of the
sutras of the Sutta Pitaka are attributed to his recollection of the Buddha's
teachings during the First Buddhist council. For that reason, he was known as
the Guardian of the Dharma. According to Buddhist tradition, every Buddha in
the past and to come will have two chief disciples and one attendant during his
ministry. In the case of Gautama Buddha, the pair of disciples were Sariputta
and Maudgalyayana and the attendant was Ānanda. In the twentieth year of the
Buddha's ministry, he became the Buddha's personal attendant, accompanying him
on most of his wanderings and taking the part of interlocutor in many of the
recorded dialogues. He is often depicted with the Buddha alongside
Mahakashyapa, the first Indian patriarch. While some people develop the
qualities that lead to enlightenment through meditation or study, Ananda did it
through the love and concern he had for others. The Buddha once said that of
all his disciples, Ananda was pre-eminent of those who had heard much Dharma,
who had a good memory, who had mastered the sequential order of what he had
remembered and who was energetic. The Buddha could not write, indeed, although
writing was known at the time, it was little used. Both during his life and for
several centuries after his final Nirvana, his words were committed to memory
and transmitted from one person to another. Ananda's highly developed memory,
plus the fact that he was constantly at the Buddha's side, meant that he, more
than any other person, was responsible for preserving and transmitting the
Buddha's teachings. In the Zen tradition, Ananda is considered to be the second
Indian patriarch.
The Buddhist canon attributes the inclusion of women in the
early Sangha (monastic order) to Ānanda. The Buddha conceded and permitted his
step-mother Mahapajapati to be ordained as a bhikkhuni only after Ananda
prevailed upon the Buddha to publicly recognize women as being equal to men in
possessing the potential for awakening. Following the death of the Buddha,
Ananda was criticized by the members of the Sangha for having enabled women to
join the monastic order. The story of the ordination of the first Buddhist nuns
is one of the most controversial sections of the Pali Canon.
Because he attended the Buddha personally and often traveled
with him, Ānanda overheard and memorized many of the discourses the Buddha
delivered to various audiences. Therefore, he is often referred to as the
disciple of the Buddha who "heard much". At the First Buddhist
Council, convened shortly after the Buddha died, Ananda was called upon to
recite many of the discourses that later became the Sutta Pitaka of the Pāli
Canon. After the Buddha's final Nirvana five hundred enlightened monks convened
a Council at Rajagaha for the purpose of collecting all the Buddha's teachings
and committing them to memory so they could be handed down to future
generations. Because he knew so much Dharma it was essential that Ananda be
present, but he was not yet enlightened. Now that he no longer had to look
after the Buddha's needs, he had more time to meditate and so he began to
practise with exceptional diligence, hoping that he could attain enlightenment
before the Council started. As the time for the Council's commencement got
closer, he practised harder and harder. During the evening before the Council
he sat meditating, convinced that he would not be able to attain enlightenment
by the next morning. So he gave up and decided to lie down and sleep. As his
head touched the pillow he became enlightened. Ananda was warmly welcomed at
the Council the next day and over the following months he recited thousands of
discourses that he had heard, commencing each recitation with the words: 'Thus
have I heard' (Evam me sutam). Because of his enormous contributions to the
preservation of the Dharma, Ananda was sometimes known as: 'The Keeper of the
Dharma Store' (Dharmabhandagarika).
The Ramchura Temple in Hajipur , Bihar is a Hindu temple
dedicated to lord Rama. Foot print of lord Rama is worshiped in this temple .
As per local folklore , Mundan ( first head shaving ceremony) of Lord Rama was
performed here . Ram Navmi is celebrated here every year and a small fair is
also organised here. The temple hence was made on his footprints and this place
has great religious value for the Hindu populace. This footprint is at the
altitude of 45 mts from ground. Bael (Aegle marmelos) is taken as prashad on
the eve of Rama Navami. "Bari Sangat" and "Chhoti Sangat"
is also situated near this pious place. During ancient period many Saints,
Mahatmas and Yogi used to visit these "Sangats" and offered prayer.
Archaeological objects excavated from Ramchaura are kept at
the Patna Museum.
Agam Kuan , Ashoka’s Hell
Agam Kuan which means ”unfanthomable well” is an ancient well and an archaeological site situated in Patna,Bihar,India. The Agam Kuan is set within an archaeological site identified by the Archaeological Survey of India which also contains the adjacent Shitala Devi temple where the folk deity Shitala Devi is venerated. It is said to date back to the period of Mauryan emperor, Ashoka (304–232 BCE). The well was known to be part of “Ashoka’s Hell “. It’s a legend that Ashoka threw 99 of his brothers in this well after killing them for the throne of Magadh. The well is believed to be 105 feet deep, Circular in shape, the well is lined with brick in the upper 13 metres (43 ft) and contains wooden rings in the remaining 19 metres (62 ft). The surface structure, which now covers the well and forms its most distinctive feature, has eight arched windows. A hand written plate stuck in the wall of the well reads "The well of Emperor Asoka" in Hindi. According to a myth, the well has a subterranean link with the Patala (netherworld) or hell. Another geo-hydrological link suggested that Agam Kuan is connected to the Ganges river.
The water from the kuan never dries up and the level of water remains unaffected despite floods. The well miraculously maintains the water level at 1-1.5 feet throughout the year. It is considered sanctimonious and used for worshipping. As per the local belief, it has 9 smaller wells inside it and a hidden treasure at its base. The reason behind the water never drying up is still unknown. The depth of Agam kuan is still unknown. Three attempts to ascertain the depth of the Agam kuan have gone in vain. The first attempt was made in 1932 during the British rule. While extracting the water from the well, a flood-like situation had occurred, but the depth of the kuan could not be ascertained. The second attempt was made in 1962 by the then chief minister of Bihar Krishna Singh but did not meet success. The third and so far the last attempt was made in 1995 by Archaeological Survey of India during chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav's term. The team relentlessly extracted water, gold coins and money from the well for several days but could not reach its bottom. To everyone's surprise, the water level regained its original level. The mystery of the miraculous Agam kuan continues unabated with a hope that one day plausible findings will demystify its magic!
The site is also connected with several Jain legends, the most notable of them being that of a Jain monk, Sudarshana, who, when thrown into the well by a king named Chand, floated to the surface and was found seated on a lotus. Visitors throw coins into Agam Kuan, as it is still considered auspicious. It is used for many religious ceremonies, especially Hindu weddings. Although it is venerated, the well waters are not consumed.
Ashoka's Hell was, according to legend, an elaborate torture chamber disguised as a beautiful palace full of amenities such as exclusive baths and decorated with flowers, fruit trees and ornaments. It was built by King Ashoka (304–232 BCE) in Pataliputra (modern Patna, India), the capital city of the Maurya Empire. The legend of the torture palace is detailed in the Ashokavadana, the text that describes King Ashoka's life through both legendary and historical accounts. According to legend, the palatial torture chamber was artfully designed to make its exterior visually pleasing and was referred to as the "beautiful gaol". Beneath the veneer of beauty, however, deep inside the exclusive mansion, torture chambers were constructed which were full of sadistic and cruel instruments of torture including furnaces producing molten metal for pouring on prisoners. The narrative mentions that the architect of the chamber was inspired by descriptions of the five tortures of the Buddhist hell for the design of the torture chamber and of the torture methods he inflicted upon his victims. The text of the Ashokavadana, describes how the torture chamber was so terrifying, it caused people to believe that Ashoka had visited hell itself in his quest to perfect its evil design. Through a pact made between Ashoka and the official executioner of the torture chamber ,Girika ,anyone entering the palace, even by chance as a visitor, was not allowed to come out alive , including Ashoka himself.
In addition to the Agam Kuan, the archaeological site features a temple, as well as several ancient and medieval sculptures. The Shitala Devi temple is adjacent to the well, and is dedicated to Shitala Devi, which houses the pindas of the Saptamatrikas (the seven mother goddesses). The temple is widely venerated for its belief in curing smallpox and chicken pox, and it is also visited by devotees for wish fulfilment. The water is believed to have healing properties and is given to patients. It is also believed by the locals that if a childless couple takes bath in the well, their wish to extend their family could be granted. The devotees throw gold and silver coins in the well as donations. The water from the well is used to perform all the rituals at this temple. A statue of Yaksha of the Mauryan art period which use to stands guard outside the temple, as described earlier by Alexander Cunningham when he visited the site in 1879–80, is not traceable in the present day.
Patliputra Karuna Stupa, Buddha Smriti Park , Patna
The Buddha Smriti park is situated in the heart of Patna, Bihar . The central attraction of Buddha Smriti park is the Stupa, known as Patliputra Karuna Stupa which is 200 feet high and is situated in the middle of the park. The Stupa contains the relics of Buddha, one amongst the eight original relic excavated from Vaishali, secured in a glass enclosure, where a tiny golden statue of the sitting Buddha is kept along with the pot containing the relic . The relics brought from different countries are put in separate caskets inside the glass case. The holy relics was brought by His Holiness Dalai Lama and the monks from Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, South Korea and Sri Lanka. The dome rises high in the sky and provide a magnificent view of the park. Circular paths around the stupa for parikrama have been provided at three different levels that lead to the highest level of the building. The central hall has wooden flooring in concentric cell fashion. The case is situated in the middle. Rest of the hall is empty and does not have any image or other thing. This park was inaugurated by His Holiness Dalai Lama on 27th May, 2010 (Buddha Poornima). He also planted two saplings, one brought from Bodh Gaya and another from Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, of the sacred Bodhi tree. A branch of the original Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya is believed to have been taken to Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka by Emperor Ashoka's son Mahendra.
The relic were discovered from the stupa in Vaishali which was one amongst the eight original relic stupas built over the corporeal remains of Buddha. According to Buddhist traditions, after attaining Mahapariniryana, his body was cremated by the Mallas of Kushinagar with royal ceremony befitting a universal king and the mortal remains were distributed among eight claimants including the Lichhavis of Vaishali. Seven others were Ajatshatru the king of Magadha, Sakyas of Kapilavastu, Bulis of Alakappa, Koliyas of Ramagram, A Brahmin of Vethoweep and Mallas of Pava and Kushinagar.
This was originally a small mud stups measuring 8.07 meters in diameter raised in 5th century B.C. Later during Maurya, Sunga and Kushan periods it was encased with bricks and enlarged in four phases which increased the diameter ti 12.00 meters. The Ayaka projection noticed towards south and east is probabally the earliest examples of Ayakapattas.The most remarkable discovery was the Relic casket of stone partly filled with ashy earth besides a small conch , two glass beads, a fragmentary piece of gold leaf , a copper punch marked coin .The relic are now placed in Patna near Patna Junction at the Patliputra Karuna Stupa . The authenticity of the relics has been proved archeologically, scientifically and also on the basis of literary sources. The partially-empty casket at the time of excavation also proved Yuan-Chwang’s statement right that Ashoka the Great broke open all eight stupas, except one, and took the relics away and divided them into 84,000 parts. The mud stupa is still there in Vaishali near Vishwa Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagodra ) .
The Smriti Park has a meditation centre, library, open park, museum besides the Karuna stupa. The meditation centre in the park consists of 60 cells having a view of the stupa. The library consisting of books on Buddhism along with a large Audio-Visual Hall. The Hall has been designed to be used by the groups visiting the park. The park is called Smriti Bagh (Park of Memories), is a landscaped open space which have votive stupas from countries across the world, each designed in the architectural pattern representative of the specific country. The park symbolically represents the dispersion of Buddhism from Bihar to various regions of the world.The park has museum showcasing the life of Lord Buddha through artfacts,3-D models, audio-visuals and multimedia presentations. The park has saplings of holy Bodhi trees which have been received from Mahameghavana Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka and Bodh Gaya, India.
The Buddha Smriti Park is situated in front of the Patna Junction and the Mahavir Mandir. The park has been constructed at the place where once the historical Bankipur Central Jail of British era existed. A part of the former jail which includes a watch tower has been preserved in the park. This beautiful multipurpose park has been developed by the State Government to commemorate the 2554th birth anniversary of the Lord Buddha.The park is a great place to visit and understand the life and teachings of Buddha. The open park is great for recreation. It has well-laid paths and green cover, with majestic central stupa being visible from all parts of the park. Timings : 11 AM to 7 PM, Tuesday to Sunday. The park remains closed on Monday for public.
Samten Choling Monastery , Ghoom
Samten Choling Buddhist Monastery is located in Ghum and is often referred as the Ghum Monastery. But the old and the original Ghum Monastery is the Yiga Choeling which is another 1km away tucked at the end of a narrow road.
In the morning or in the evening during the prayer time, the chanting and the humming sound made by the young lamas and the monks creates great spiritual atmosphere. One can be with them as long as you want during the prayers. The monastery has great collections of Buddhist books and Manuscripts. It belongs to the Yellow Hat sect.
On another side of the patio a stairway from outside leads up to the open roof of a one storey building. Once one get on top to the open terrace and look out towards back side, the view is simply awesome. The wonderful snow peaks of Kanchenjunga on a clear day and most striking is the view of mountains from three sides forming a lovely valley is visible. Also visible are rows of cute wooden cottages along the slope of the hills. On one side of the terrace are rooms where the monks of the monastery stay. Monastery is open all days a week, early morning till evening. 
On another side of the patio a stairway from outside leads up to the open roof of a one storey building. Once one get on top to the open terrace and look out towards back side, the view is simply awesome. The wonderful snow peaks of Kanchenjunga on a clear day and most striking is the view of mountains from three sides forming a lovely valley is visible. Also visible are rows of cute wooden cottages along the slope of the hills. On one side of the terrace are rooms where the monks of the monastery stay. Monastery is open all days a week, early morning till evening. 
Kesariya Stupa ( Buddha Stupa ), Bihar :
Situated in the East Champaran district of Bihar, Kesariya serves as the place of the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. Kesariya stupa, as it is known, is located at a distance of about 110 km from Patna, the capital of Bihar. The stupa is believed to date back to somewhere between 200 AD and 750 AD may have been associated with the 4th century ruler, Raja Chakravarti. The local people call this Stupa as Devala, "means the house of god". Before the excavation of this, they believed that inside it there is a temple of 'Lord shiva' which is built by king Bhema .
The stupa is the largest in the world, with a height of 104 ft, and attracts lots of Buddhist pilgrims from around the world. The stupa is rare example of Buddhist architecture and archaeological preservation. It is believed that the stupa has further immersed into earth after the famous 1934- earthquake before which, the height of this stupa was 123 ft. The stupa was measured by Cunningham who found that the circumference was 1400 feet while the height was 51 feet. He also worked out that originally, the dome of the stupa would have been 70 feet tall. From a distance, Stupa may look like a mound of bricks with circular terraces but it also got layers of mortar and mud. Stories go that it is still 9 feet under the ground and excavations are yet to unearth that part. It has 5 large terraces, each unique in shape and enshrining an image of Buddha. Displaying various postures of Buddha, images (mostly mutilated) are found within the niches under each terrace. Giant Buddhist Mandala sits atop the stupa and easily noticeable. Even in its ruined state hidden under overgrown scrubs, Kesariya is an impressive site. Excavation unearthed temples and colossal images of Buddha. During excavation, the place around the stupa was found to house significant items, like Islamic coins, arrow heads, copper and terracotta items, earthen lamps, decorated bricks, etc. A number of images of Lord Buddha, in ‘Bhoomi Sparsh Mudra’ and other sitting postures were also found. While formerly, it was only a mud stupa, it gained its present structure in the Maurya, Sunga and Kushana period.
It is believed that after his visit with Amrapali, Lord Buddha continued with his journey towards Kushinagar (also called Kusinara in Buddhist texts.) He travelled along the eastern banks of the river Gandak (also called Narayani, which marks the western border of Champaran). A band of his devoted Licchavis accompanied Lord Buddha in this journey. At a spot known as Kesariya, in the East Champaran district, Lord Buddha took rest for the night. It was here that he chose to announce to his disciples the news of his impending niravana (meaning, death); and implored them to return to Vaishali. The wildly lamenting Licchavis would have none of that. They steadfastly refused to leave. Whereupon, Lord Buddha, by creating a 3,000 feet wide stream between them and himself compelled them to leave. As a souvenir he gave them his alms-bowl. The Licchavis, most reluctantly and expressing their sorrow wildly, took leave and built a stupa there to commemorate the event. Lord Buddha had chosen that spot to announce his impending nirvana because, as he told his disciple Anand, he knew that in a previous life he had ruled from that place, namely, Kesariya, as a Chakravarti Raja, Raja Ben. In speaking to Ananda, Buddha told him that "for a Chakravarti Raja they build a sthupo at a spot where four principal roads meet." This description agrees most precisely with that of Kesariya, where two high roads cross, the one leading Saran to Champaran, and the other from Patna or Pataliputra to Bettiah and Nepal.
Ancient Kesariya was called Kesaputta and was a republic ruled by Kalamas, which was later annexed by its monarchical neighbour Kosala. Alara Kalama, the teacher of Buddha before enlightenment, is said to belong to Kesaputta. Buddha is also said to have had direct connection with Kesaputta. According to Jataka stories Buddha ruled this place as a Chakravartin Raja in his previous birth. Similarly, it was during one of his visits to Kesaputta that Buddha gave one of his most important discourses, the celebrated Kessaputtiya Sutta, popularly known as Kalama Sutta. Kesariya stupa is believed to have been built to honor the place where Lord Buddha had spent the last days of his journey, before attaining Nirvana.
Huien Tsang mentions having seen the grand Stupa in Kia-shi-po-lo (Kesariya) but it was deserted and vegetation had overgrown .He has mentioned, in his travelogue, about this giant stupa. In 637, Huien Tsang set out from Lumbini to Kusinagara, the site of Buddha's death, before heading southwest to the deer park at Sarnath where Buddha gave his first sermon, and where Huien Tsang found 1,500 resident monks. Traveling eastward, at first via Varanasi, Huien Tsang reached Vaisali, Pataliputra (Patna) and Bodh Gaya. He was then accompanied by local monks to Nalanda, the great ancient university of India, where he spent at least the next two years. He was in the company of several thousand scholar-monks, whom he praised. Huien Tsang wrote his book "Journey to India in the Great Tang Dynasty", which has become one of the primary sources for study of ancient history of India. Huien Tsang in his travelogue has mentioned a Chakravarti Raja of the seventh century. This is confirmed by the reign of Raja Ben. He has mentioned that 30 miles due north-west of Vaishali, in an ancient city, Lord Buddha had announced that in a previous life he was the Boddhisatva and had ruled that kingdom as a Chakravarti Raja. This ancient city was most certainly Kesariya. It is irrefutable that Lord Buddha had come to Keasriya during his final journey from Vaishali to Kushinagar. The stupa at Deora confirms this event, since stupas were built only at those places that were of great significance in the life of Lord Buddha.
Kesariya Stupa serves as a holy site for the Buddhist pilgrims around the world. Standing tall, it acts as a reminder of the last days of Lord Buddha and his compassionate and gentle approach towards people. The place is a reminiscent to the Buddha's last phase of life, his humanitarian approach towards all, independent of caste and creed. His simple and ethical principles also come into mind while one travels this huge Stupa, nearly twice as large as that of Sanchi.
The place was the venue where the Buddha delivered His famous Kalama Sutta to the Kalama people. Through this discourse, the Buddha urged His followers to analyse His teachings thoroughly before accepting them. The details of the discourse can be found in the “The Buddha's Charter of Free Inquiry: Kalama Sutta, Wheel No 8.”
Excavation and restoration work on the stupa is still under process. Despite its archaeological significance and reverence in Buddhism, Kesariya Stupa is yet off from itineraries of modern day travelers.
Situated in the East Champaran district of Bihar, Kesariya serves as the place of the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. Kesariya stupa, as it is known, is located at a distance of about 110 km from Patna, the capital of Bihar. The stupa is believed to date back to somewhere between 200 AD and 750 AD may have been associated with the 4th century ruler, Raja Chakravarti. The local people call this Stupa as Devala, "means the house of god". Before the excavation of this, they believed that inside it there is a temple of 'Lord shiva' which is built by king Bhema .
Huien Tsang mentions having seen the grand Stupa in Kia-shi-po-lo (Kesariya) but it was deserted and vegetation had overgrown .He has mentioned, in his travelogue, about this giant stupa. In 637, Huien Tsang set out from Lumbini to Kusinagara, the site of Buddha's death, before heading southwest to the deer park at Sarnath where Buddha gave his first sermon, and where Huien Tsang found 1,500 resident monks. Traveling eastward, at first via Varanasi, Huien Tsang reached Vaisali, Pataliputra (Patna) and Bodh Gaya. He was then accompanied by local monks to Nalanda, the great ancient university of India, where he spent at least the next two years. He was in the company of several thousand scholar-monks, whom he praised. Huien Tsang wrote his book "Journey to India in the Great Tang Dynasty", which has become one of the primary sources for study of ancient history of India. Huien Tsang in his travelogue has mentioned a Chakravarti Raja of the seventh century. This is confirmed by the reign of Raja Ben. He has mentioned that 30 miles due north-west of Vaishali, in an ancient city, Lord Buddha had announced that in a previous life he was the Boddhisatva and had ruled that kingdom as a Chakravarti Raja. This ancient city was most certainly Kesariya. It is irrefutable that Lord Buddha had come to Keasriya during his final journey from Vaishali to Kushinagar. The stupa at Deora confirms this event, since stupas were built only at those places that were of great significance in the life of Lord Buddha.
Mahabodhi Temple , Bodhgaya :-
A. The Temple :-
In the 6th century B.C prince Siddhartha Gautam attained the supreme enlightenment at this holy place and became the Buddha . In commemoration there of emperor Ashoka set up the Vajrasana ( Diamond Thorne) of polished sandstone representing the seat of enlightenment in the 3rd century B.C. during the Sunga period (2nd century B.C.) . A sandstone railing was erected around it . The present Mahabodhi temple was constructed in the 6th century A.D.
The temple underwent several restorations, renovations and repairs in subsequent periods in which the Burmese greatly contributed in 1883. A very thorough and scientific renovation of the temple was done under the supervision of the British Archaeologist Sir A Cunningham and J.D.M Beglar and the Indian Archaeologist
Dr Rajendra Lal Mitra . Again in 1956 on the occasion of 2500th Buddha Jayanti celebration, the government of India did some repair works and enlarged the premises of the Mahabodhi Temple. According to Chinese chronicles, this was fully restored by the Sinhalese Kings with an entire kings wealth given to Samudragupta.
This is the most Sacred place of Buddhist pilgrimage. Mahabodhi Temple has been inscribed on the World Heritage List of the convention concerning the protection of the world culture and natural heritag. Inscription of this list confirms the exceptional universal value of a culture or natural site which deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity.
B. Bodhi Pallanka :-
(The Place of Enlightenment )
C. Animesa Locana :-
(The Place of Unwinking Gazing ) :-
D. Cankamana (Cloister Walk) :-
Load Buddha spent the third week here walking up and down in meditation . On the platform lotuses indicate the places where the loads feet rested while walking .
E. Ratanghara :-
(The place of basic Contemplation ) :-
Load Buddha spent the fourth week here in meditation reflecting on the Patthana or the Causal law.
F. Ajapala Nirodha Tree ( banyan Tree ) :-
G. Mucalinda Lake :-
( The abode of snake king )
Lord Buddha spent the sixth week in meditation here . While he was meditating severe thunder storm broke out . To protect him from the violent wind and rain even the creatores came out for his safety .
( Sangha was not founded then ).
A. The Temple :-
In the 6th century B.C prince Siddhartha Gautam attained the supreme enlightenment at this holy place and became the Buddha . In commemoration there of emperor Ashoka set up the Vajrasana ( Diamond Thorne) of polished sandstone representing the seat of enlightenment in the 3rd century B.C. during the Sunga period (2nd century B.C.) . A sandstone railing was erected around it . The present Mahabodhi temple was constructed in the 6th century A.D.
The temple underwent several restorations, renovations and repairs in subsequent periods in which the Burmese greatly contributed in 1883. A very thorough and scientific renovation of the temple was done under the supervision of the British Archaeologist Sir A Cunningham and J.D.M Beglar and the Indian Archaeologist
Dr Rajendra Lal Mitra . Again in 1956 on the occasion of 2500th Buddha Jayanti celebration, the government of India did some repair works and enlarged the premises of the Mahabodhi Temple. According to Chinese chronicles, this was fully restored by the Sinhalese Kings with an entire kings wealth given to Samudragupta.
This is the most Sacred place of Buddhist pilgrimage. Mahabodhi Temple has been inscribed on the World Heritage List of the convention concerning the protection of the world culture and natural heritag. Inscription of this list confirms the exceptional universal value of a culture or natural site which deserves protection for the benefit of all humanity.
B. Bodhi Pallanka :-
(The Place of Enlightenment )
Prince Siddhartha attained Buddhahood ( Full enlightenment) in the year 623 B.C on the Vaisakha full moonday sitting under this peepul, Ficus religiosa (Bodhi) tree.The Vajrasana or the diamond thorn which is under this Bodhi tree is the central place of worship. During the first week after enlightenment, the Buddha sat under the bodhi tree experiencing the happiness of freedom and peace. He was free from disturbing thoughts, calm and blissful. The tree was also destroyed many times. The one that stands now is approximately 100 years old taken from Sri Maha Bodhi in Sri Lanka which was planted in 288 BC, making it the oldest verified specimen .
C. Animesa Locana :-
(The Place of Unwinking Gazing ) :-
After enlightenment load Buddha spent the second week in meditation here gazing unblinking at the Bodhi tree.
D. Cankamana (Cloister Walk) :-
Load Buddha spent the third week here walking up and down in meditation . On the platform lotuses indicate the places where the loads feet rested while walking .
E. Ratanghara :-
(The place of basic Contemplation ) :-
Load Buddha spent the fourth week here in meditation reflecting on the Patthana or the Causal law.
F. Ajapala Nirodha Tree ( banyan Tree ) :-
Load Buddha spent the fifth week under this tree in meditation after enlightenment. Here he replied to a brahman that only by ones deeds one becomes a Brahman, not by birth.
G. Mucalinda Lake :-
( The abode of snake king )
( The abode of snake king )
Lord Buddha spent the sixth week in meditation here . While he was meditating severe thunder storm broke out . To protect him from the violent wind and rain even the creatores came out for his safety .
H. Rajayatana ( A kind of forest tree ) :-
After enlightenment lord Buddha spent the seventh week here in meditation . At the end of Meditation . two merchants – Tapussa and Bhallika offered rice cake and honey to the lord and took refuge – “ Buddham Saranam Gacchami, Dhammam Saranam Gacchami “,
( Sangha was not founded then ).
( Sangha was not founded then ).
Buddha Relic Stupa , Vaishali :-
This is one amongst the eight original relic stupas built over the corporeal remains of Buddha. According to Buddhist traditions, after attaining Mahapariniryana, his body was cremated by the Mallas of Kushinagar with royal ceremony befitting a universal king and the mortal remains were distributed among eight claimants including the Lichhavis of Vaishali. Seven others were Ajatshatru the king of Magadha, Sakyas of Kapilavastu, Bulis of Alakappa, Koliyas of Ramagram, A Brahmin of Vethoweep and Mallas of Pava and Kushinagar.
This was originally a small mud stups measuring 8.07 meters in diameter raised in 5th century B.C. Later during Maurya, Sunga and Kushan periods it was encased with bricks and enlarged in four phases which increased the diameter ti 12.00 meters. The Ayaka projection noticed towards south and east is probabally the earliest examples of Ayakapattas.
The most remarkable discovery is the Relic casket of stone partly filled with ashy earth besides a small conch , two glass beads, a fragmentary piece of gold leaf a a copper punch marked coin .The relic are now placed in Patna near Patna Junction.
Remains of Ancient Vaishali , Kolhua :-
Kolhua, a part and parcel of ancient city of Vaishali marks the spot where a local chief of monkeys had offered a bowl of honey to Lord Buddha. The event is regarded as one of the eight most signigicant events of his life. According to the Buddhist literature, this was the place where Buddha spent many of the rainy seasons, Allowed Nuns to the Sangha for the first time , announced his approaching Nirvana and converted Amarpali from a proud court dancer to a nun.
The recent excavation conducted by Archaeological Survey of India have revealed remains of Kutagarshala , Swastika shaped monastery , a tank, number of votive stupas and miniature shrines in addition to main Stupa and the Ashokan Pillar which were exposed earlier.
The pillar locally known as Lat is 11.00 meters high monolithic polished sand stone column surmounted by a seated Loin capital. It is probably one of the earliest pillars of Ashoka which does not bear the usual Edict . But a few letters in Shell character of Gupta Period are engraved on it.
Beads of semi-precious stones , terracotta figurines , seals & sealings , bricks embedded with semi-precious stones , inscribed potsherd and a unique terracotta figure of crowned monkey are some of the noteworthy antiquities found during excavation of this site.
The adjoining tank has been identified as “Markat-Hrid” supposedly dug by the monkeys for Buddha. This brick lined seven tiered tank measuring approximately 65 x 35 meters in dimension has two bathing ghats on southern and western wings.
The Kutagarshala represents the spot were Buddha used to stay during the rainy seasons spent at Vaishali .Excavation have exposed three phase of its construction. Originally it was a small chaitya built during Sunga-Kushan period. Subsequently it was enlarged to a lofty temple in second phase during Gupta period. And finally in the third phase the temple was converted into a monastery by providing a number of partition walls during post Gupta period.
This twelve room monastery looks like a Swastika on a plan having three rooms on each arm attached to common verandah around an open central courtyard having entrance towards east. The monastery has a toilet chamber attached to its southern wall. It was constructed during Gupta period probably for the nuns.
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