Fast Facts
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.
