1. Bimbisara jail
Bimbisar Jail offers a beautiful view of Griddhakuta hill as well as the Japanese pagoda. Bimbisar, a staunch disciple of Lord Buddha, was imprisoned by son Ajatshatru. Ajatshatru asked his father to choose the place of his imprisonment. King Bimbisar chose a spot from where he could see Lord Buddha.
2. Gridhakuta Hill
Gridhakuta is a hill located at Rajgir, Bihar where Lord Buddha carried out many dialogues with his disciples after he achieved enlightenment. It is the place where Lord Buddha started his second helm of commandment and preached many inspiring teachings and sermons to his disciples. Gridhakuta hill is also known as Vulture’s Peak. It was at Gridhakuta hill that Lord Buddha gave his two significant sutras the Lotus Sutra and the Prajnaparamita. He spent three months during the rainy season in retreat at the Gridhakuta hill, meditating and sermonising some of his most important discourses. The Buddha Sangha of Japan has raised a huge Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), at the summit of the Gridhakuta hill in honour of Lord Buddha. This stupa is the central point of Rajgir, enclosing beautiful statues of Buddha outside and within.
3. Jeevak’s Mango Garden
This garden was full of mango trees and it is said that Lord Buddha had spent his time in this place. It is picturesque site. Ajatashatru and Bimbisara’s eminent physician was the renowned doctor of Ayurveda in the Magadh empire. It is said that he had also treated Buddha.
4. Sonbhandar Caves
Caves have always been a subject that raise plenty of curiosity and a lot of interesting stories. Of late caves have large number of visitors, who come to these wonderful structures that are man-made or natural. One such interesting structure is the Son Bhandar caves found at Rajgir in Bihar. The town of Rajgir is host to many events that are considered to be important in the history of the country. Buddha is said to have given sermons to Bimbisara, the King of the Magadha empire, at Rajgir.The Son Bhandar caves are two rock cut caves that are located at the foot of the Vaibhar Hills. The caves were hollowed in the cliff of the hill during the 3rd and 4th century AD. Inscriptions found inside one of the caves narrates that the caves were constructed by the Jain saint Muni Vairadevi as an abode for the Jain ascetics during that time.
5. Saptaparini Caves
The caves are believed to be once meditation place for the Buddha. The first Buddhist Council lead by Mahakashyapa, one of Buddha’s main disciples, was held here and the texts on Buddha’s teachings were put to writing. This event took place after about six months of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana. There are important Jain Temples on the way to the Saptaparni caves. A partially ruined ancient Shiva temple is also found here. There are signs of unexcavated mounds nearby. The pillars of the temple are plain and octagonal. The front roof had been destroyed and the Shiva lingam is enshrined in the inner chamber.
