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 Vaishali today is a small
village surrounded by banana,
mango groves and 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 a rich
center for trade and industry.
Historically important, Vaishali,
on the left bank of the Gandak
river, is spiritually supreme.
Lord Buddha visited this place
frequently and at Kolhua, close
by, preached his last sermon. To
commemorate the event, Emperor
Ashoka, in the third century
B.C. erected one of his famous
lion pillars here. A hundred
years after the Mahaparinirvana
of the Buddha - Vaishali hosted
the second great Buddhist
council. Two stupas were erected
to commemorate this event.
Jainism, too, has its origins in
Vaishali, for in 527 B.C., Lord
Mahavir was born on the
outskirts of the city, and lived
in Vaishali till he was 22.
Vaishali is then twice blessed
and remains an important pilgrim
center for both Buddhists and
Jains, attracting also
historians foraging for the
past.
 On the outskirts of Vaishali
stood the grand double storied
Buddhist monastery. Buddha often
discoursed here. Much against
his wishes, 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.
The Lichchhavis came a long way
to bid him farewell on his way
to Kushinagara and finally, they
were stopped by a river created
by Buddha. He once again paused
to have a last of his much loved
city. As a piety for Vaishali,
he had already given his alms
bowl which remained here for
long time.
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.
Vaishali museum houses some of
the archaeological remains
discovered here. Facing the
museum is the Abhishek Pushkarni
which was holy to Lichchhavis.
On one side of the lake is newly
built Vishwa Shanti Stupa, a
sixth in the series to be
erected in India. Close to the
museum is the shaded stupa which
is supposed to have housed the
casket relic with the ashes of
Buddha.
Archaeologists have uncovered a
good deal of Vaishali. It begins
with a huge mound which is
associated with the ancient
Parliament referred to Raja
Vaihala Ka Garh. Bawan Pokhar
temple houses a rich collection
of black basalt images dating
back to the Gupta and Pala
period. Another black basalt,
four headed Shivling (Choumukhi
Mahadeva) was discovered when a
reservoir was being dug. Behind
the bawan pokhar temple is a
Jain temple famous for its image
of the Trithankar. A little
distance from these temples lies
the Lotus Tank which used to be
a picnic spot of the Lichchhavis.
Further north at Lauria Areraj,
31 Kms from Motihari, lies one
of the Ashokan Columns with six
of his edicts. The column is
devoid of its capital. Another
Ashokan column along with the
lion capital can be visited at
Nandangarh, 23 kms from Bettiah.
These pillars possibly mark the
course of the ancient Royal
highway from Patliputra to Nepal
valley. Few kilometers from the
monolith at Nandangarh is the
mighty brick stupa which is
believed to have stored the
casket relic containing the
ashes of Buddha. At Nandangarh
one can also see a dozen vedic
mounds that contain the remains
of ruling clans of pre-Buddhists
times.
General
Information
What to
See
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.
Bawan Pokhar Temple: An
old temple built in the Pala
period stands on the northern
bank of Bawan Pokhar and
enshrines beautiful images of
several Hindu gods
Budha Stupa-I: The
exterior of this stupa which is
now in a dilapidated condition
has a plain surface. One eighth
of the sacred ashes of the lord
Buddha were enshrined here in a
stone casket.
Budha Stupa-II:
Excavation at this site in 1958
led to the discovery of another
casket containing the ashes of
the Lord Buddha.
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.
The stone casket of the sacred
ashes of Lord Buddha were
enshrined here in Vaishali.
 Kundalpur: Birth place of
Lord Mahavira. 4Km.It is
believed that the Jain
Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir was
born over 2550 years ago.
Mahavir is said to have spent
the first 22 years of his life
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.
Shanti Stupa: On the
south bank of the coronation
tank, built by Buddha Vihar
Society.
How to
Reach
Air: The nearest airport
is Patna (70 Kms).
Rail: Hajipur on the
north eastern railway station
(35 Kms) from Muzaffarpur
Railway station (40 Kms)
Road: Vaishali is well
connected by road to Patna (56
Kms), Muzaffarpur (36 Kms) and
Hazipur (35 Kms)
Other
Attractions
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 Swedish
Cottage with attached baths etc.
in the temporarily erected
Tourists Village.
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.
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