India Tourism | Vaishali

Vaishali today is a small village surrounded by banana and 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 Lichhavis. And while Pataliputra, capital of the Mauryas and the Guptas, held political sway over the Gangetic plain, Vaishali was a rich centre 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 centre for both Buddhists and Jains, attracting also historians foraging for the past.

Altitude: 52 metres
Temperature (°C):
Summer: Max 44, Min 21
Winter: Max 23, Min 6
Rainfall: 120 cms
Best Season: October to March

How to get there

	Air: The nearest airport is Patna 56 kms connected by Indian Airlines to Mumbai (Bombay), Kolkata (Calcutta), Delhi, Ranchi and Lucknow.
	Rail: Hajipur (35 kms) on the North Eastern Railway is the nearest railway station.
	Road: Vaishali is connected by road to Patna (55 kms), Muzaffarpur (36 kms) and Hajipur (35 kms).
	Local Transport: Regular bus services connect Vaishali to Patna via Lalgunj, Hajipur and Muzaffarpur. Only tongas and cycle rickshaws are available.

Places of Interest

Ashoka Pillar at Kolhua
Buddha Stupa I
Buddha Stupa II
Raja Vishal Ka Ghar
Coronation Tank
Museum
Bawan Pokhar Temple and Harikatora Temple
Miranji Ka Durgah
Kundupur (4 kms)

Special Institutions

The Jain Prakrit Institute offers a place of study for researchers interested in Jainology an Prakrit, one of the spoken languages of Northern India in ancient times.

Excursions

Visitors must return to Patna (55 kms) to undertake any Excursions they may wish to organise.

The Region