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Destinations :: Vaishali
today is a small village surrounded by banana and mango groves as well
as rice fields.
But excavations in the area have brought to light an impressive 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 B.C. in the time of the Vajjis and the Lichchavis.
And while Pataliputra, capital of the Mauryas and the Guptas, held political
sway over the Gangetic plain, Vaishali was the center for trade and
On the outskirts of Vaishali stood the grand double
storied Buddhist monastery. Buddha often discoursed here. He extended spiritual enfranchisement to women by admitting
them to the Holy Order which was founded here. Legend has it that on one
of his visits, several monkeys dug up a tank for his comfortable stay
and offered him a bowl of honey. This is regarded as one of the great
incidents in the legends of Buddha, who announced his approaching Nirvana
and preached his last sermon here.
A life size-pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates
Buddha's last sermon and announcement of his approaching nirvana. The
lion faces north, the direction Buddha took on his last voyage. Adjacent
to this is the tank associated with the monkeys offering honey. Nearby
are the skeletal remains of a monastery where Buddha resided and a votive
stupas dot the region.
Ashokan Pillar: Emperor Ashoka built The Lion Pillar at Kolhua. It is made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone, surmounted by a bell shaped capital, 18.3 m high. A life-size figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar. There is a small tank here known as Ramkund. This pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha's last sermon.
Abhiskek Pushkarn (Coronation tank): It contains water that was believed to be sacred in the old days. All of Vaishali's elected representative were anointed here before their swearing in. The Lichchavi stupa was located near here.
Raja Vishal ka Garh: A huge mound with a circumference about one Kilometer and walls nearly 2 m 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.
Tourist Bungalow: Ambapali
Vihar, Vaishali-844128. Ph.0622-285425.
Restaurant, Coach/Car Parking.
Local Handicrafts, Stone Sculptures and Madhubani Paintings.
Main Shopping Center for Vaishali is Patna. At Maurya Lok Complex, Near Dak Bunglow Crossing, Bailey Road, Patna.
Vaishali Mahotsava: Vaishali mahotsava is held to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Jain Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir on the full moon day of the month of "Vaisakh" (mid-April).
Sonepur fair: 35 km. Sonepur situated on the confluence of river Ganga and Gandak, hosts perhaps Asia's Biggest animal fair, from Kartik full moon day (Oct./Nov). The Fair lasts for almost a fortnight. Millions of visitors come to this typical fair.
Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation offers Swiss Cottages with attached baths etc. in the temporarily erected Tourists Village during the period of Sonepur Mela.
Arts and Crafts: Several villages around Vaishali make delightful home made toys.Sikki Work, the humble blade of grass is hand-woven into delightful baskets and mats. Lac bangles, these handmade lac bangles come from nearby city Muzaffarpur.
Patna: 55 Km.Turning over the pages of early Indian history one comes across the name of the pre-eminent city of Patliputra. Located at the site where Patna is today, this city saw the rise and fall of India's first major Kingdoms. The Third Buddhists Council was held here.
Muzaffarpur: 35 km from Vaishali.Muzaffarpur the "Lychee Kingdom", is one of the major towns of North Bihar, a short distance from other popular tourist spots Hazipur and Sonepur. It is als