Tourism in Bihar

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Vaishali Travel Guide

Vaishali Tours

Location : 55 kms from Patna, Bihar
Attractions : Ashoka Pillar, Buddha Stupa - I & II, Bawan Pokhar Temple, Abhishek Pushkarn, Vishwa Shanti Stupa etc.
Best Time To Visit : October to March

Introducing Vaishali
Just 55 kms away from capital city Patna, Vaishali is a small village boasts of an impressive historical past. The excavations in the region have brought out several historic structures related to Lord Buddha, Mauryan King Ashoka and Lord Mahavira as well. Lord Buddha used to visit Vaishali frequently, where as the Jain Tirthankar, Lord Mahavira born on the outskirts of Vaishali and lived here till he was 22 years old. According to historic records Vaishali is the place where one of the world's first democratic republics was flourishing in the 6th century B.C. with an elected assembly of representatives. Vaishali was also the centre for trade and industry, while Pataliputra, the capital of the Mauryas and the Guptas, held political activities over the Gangetic plain. Moreover, Vaishali remained an important pilgrimage centre for both Buddhists and Jains during the ancient period. Now Vaishali attracts large number of tourists and historians who foraging for the past.

How to Reach Vaishali
By Air : Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport in Patna (65 kms) is the nearest airport from Vaishali. Flights are available from Patna to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ranchi and other important cities of India. Private taxis and cars are available from the airport.


By Train : Nearest railhead is Hazipur (35 kms), Mazaffarpur is another railhead which is 40 kms away. Patna Junction (60 kms) is nearest major railhead which is served by several trains from important places of India.

By Road : State Highways and National Highway connect Vaishali with Muzaffarpur (35 Kms), Hazipur (35 Kms) and Patna (56 Kms). From Patan you may also take a day trip to Vaishali.

Places Where You Can Stay
Vaishali does not have any deluxe hotel, but a number of good accommodation options are available. You may stay at Tourist Bungalow (Ambapali Vihar) and Youth Hostel which offer A/C and Non A/C rooms and other contemporary facilities.

Tourist Attractions in Vaishali
Ashoka Pillar : Mauryan Emperor Ashoka (250 BC), built the Ashoka Pillar at Kolhua. Ashoka Pillar is 18.3 m high and is made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone capped by a bell shaped capital. Atop the Ashoka Pillar a life-size figure of a lion is placed. Adjacent to the Ashoka Pillar is a small tank called as Ramkund.

Buddha Stupa - I : Buddha Stupa - I is the place where one eighth of the sacred ashes of the Lord Buddha had been enshrined in a stone casket. Presently, the exterior of this stupa is in a dilapidated condition and has a plain surface.

Budha Stupa - II : Buddha Stupa - II is located close to the Stupa - 1. Excavation of the site in 1958 led to the discovery of another casket of Lord Buddha's ashes.

Bawan Pokhar Temple : Bowan Pokhar Temple is an old temple built in the Pala period. Situated on the northern bank of Bawan Pokhar the temple enshrines the beautiful images of a number of Hindu gods.


Abhishek Pushkarn : Abhishek Pushkarn or Coronation tank contains the water that was believed to be sacred in the old days. Close to Abhishek Pushkarn, the Lichchavi Stupa was located. Abhishek Pushkarn is also the site where the stone casket of the sacred ashes of Lord Buddha were enshrined.

Vishwa Shanti Stupa (World Peace Pagoda) : Built by Buddha Vihar society, the Shanti Stupa lies on the south bank of the coronation tank.

Kundalpur : Just 4 kms away from Vaishali, Kundalpur is considered the birth place of Lord Mahavira. It is said that Lord Mahavir, the Jain Tirthankar was born here about 2,550 years ago. Lord Mahavira is said to have spent the first 22 years of his life at Kundalpur.

Raja Vishal Ka Garh : Raja Vishal Ka Garh is said to be the ancient parliament house. There is a huge mound with a circumference of about one kilometer and the walls are nearly 2 metre high with 43 mts wide moat around them. It is said that more than seven thousand representatives of the federal assembly gathered at this place to legislate and discuss the day-to-day problems.

Vaishali Museum : A place of tourist interest, Vaishali Museum houses some of the archaeological remains discovered here.

Other attractions
Vaishali Mahotsava : Vaishali Mahotsava is an important festival of Vaishali which is held to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir. It is celebrated on the full moon day of Hindu month 'Vaisakh', usually falls in mid- April.

Sonepur Fair : Just 35 kms away Sonpur is situated on the confluence of the river Ganga and Gandak. The town is host to one of Asia's biggest cattle fair which starts from full moon day of Hindu month 'Kartik' (October - November). Millions of visitors come to this fair which lasts for almost a fortnight. During the Sonepur Fair, Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation offers Swiss Cottages with attached baths in the temporarily erected Tourists Village.

Arts and Crafts : A number of villages around Vaishali are known for excellent arts and crafts work. People of these village make delightful toys, grass baskets and mats.

Tourist Attractions Around Vaishali
Muzaffarpur : Muzaffapur also called the 'Lychee Kingdom' is situated at a distance of 35 kms from Vaishali and famous for its exotic fruit 'Lychee.' One of the major towns of Bihar, Muzaffarpur is also one of the oldest and largest trade centre in the entire state.

Patna : Patna the capital city of Bihar is 56 kms away from Vaishali. A historical town, Patna is home to a number of modern as well as old attractions. Some of the major attractions of Patna include Gol Ghar, Patna Museum, Planetarium, Zoological Garden etc. Patna also makes an ideal base to visit the town of Vaishali.

Buddhist Tour Packages  in India
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