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'''Rajgir''' é uma cidade no estado [[Índia|indiano]] de [[Bihar]].
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[[Categoria:Cidades e vilas de Bihar]] ▼<!--
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'''Rajgir''' is an ancient town, and has reference in [[Mahabharata]], [[Buddhist]] and [[Jain]] texts. Vestiges of its time-honored and magnificent past still remain, eclipsing even the modern state of [[Bihar]], [[India]], in which it is located. Once a great city, '''Rajgir''' is but a small town today. Rajgir is about 10 [[kilometers|km]] south of [[Nalanda]] and 46 km from [[Bodhgaya]].
This place has been associated with Lord [[Buddha]] and [[Mahavira]] and not only as a place for worship; Rajgir has developed as health and winter resort with its warm water ponds. These [[bathing|baths]] are said to contain some medicinal properties that help in the cure of many skin diseases. The added attraction of Rajgir is the Ropeway that takes you uphill to the Shanti Stupa and Monasteries built by the Japanese Devotees on top of the Ratnagiri hills.
[[Buddha]] spent 12 years in Raggir on Gridhakuta Parwat and also gave one of his best teachings in Gridhakuta Parwat - most famous being Prajnaparamita, or Perfection of Wisdom. Another famous Buddist teach of [[Nalanda University]], Shilbhadra was in near by place called Shilao. Jeevak one of the great physician of Buddha's time was from here who had performed successful brain surgery.
One may visit Rajgir from [[Patna]]. Another way is to come via [[Begusarai]] junction or [[Mokameh]], after arriving by train in an overnight journey from [[Kolkata]]. Rajgir is a diversion from somewhere midway on the [[Barauni]]& ndash;Patna highway. It is located in a [[verdant]] valley surrounded by rocky hills. Recently [[Indian Railways]] have started trains from Rajgir to Kolkata and Delhi.
==History==
'''`House of the king’'''
Rajgir, which means 'house of the king', was the ancient capital city of the [[Magadha]] kings until the 5th century BC when [[Ajatashatru]] moved the capital to [[Pataliputra]]. Em those days, it was called Rajgrih, which translates as ‘the home of Royalty’.
[[Jarasandha]] who hailed from this place had defeated [[Krishna]] 18 times because of which Krishna is also called 'ranchod' (person who runs away form fight). Mahabharata recounts a wrestling match between [[Bhima]], one of the pandavas, and Jarasandha, the then king of Rajgir. Jarasandha was invincible as his body could rejoin any dismembered limbs. According to the legend, Bhim split Jarasandha into two and threw the two halves facing opposite to each other so that they could not join. There is a famous Jarasandha's Akhara(place where you practice martial arts).
It is sacred to the memory of the founders of both the religions: [[Buddhism]] and [[Jainism]]. It was here that Gautam [[Buddha]] spent several months meditating, and preaching at Griddhkuta, (‘Hill of the Vultures'). He also delivered some of his famous sermons and converted King Bimbisara of Magadha and countless others to his religion.
Rajgir is also famous for its association with [[Maurya]] Kings [[Bimbsara]] and Ajatashatru. Ajatshatru kept his father Bimbsara in captivitiy here.
On one of the hills is the cave of Saptparni where the first Buddhist Council was held under the leadership of Bhikshu Kashyap. The Saptparni cave is also the source of the Rajgir Hot Water Springs that have curative properties and are sacred to the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Today an aerial ropeway provides the link with a hilltop stupa "Peace Pagoda" built by the Japanese.
Lord [[Mahavira]] spent fourteen years of his life at Rajgir and Nalanda, spending ''chaturmas'' (i.e. 4 months of the rainy season) at a single place in Rajgir (Rajgruhi) and the rest in the places in the vicinity. It was the capital of his favourite ''shishya'' (follower) king Shrenik. Thus Rajgir is a very important religious place for [[Jain]]s also.
==The hot spring==
Originally a dip in the pond was the only means of experiencing the hot springs, but now at a higher level the spring has been tapped and flows out through several ceramic pipes set into the wall in a hall, where people can sit under it and have the water run through them.
==Places to visit==
Karand Tank, Maniyar Math, Swarnabhandar Cave, Pippala Cave, Viswa Shanti Stupa, the famous Hot Water Springs and ruins of an Old Fort, 40 km long and 12 ft wide 2500 year old cyclopean walls.
===Bimbisara Ka Jail===
This was the place where Ajatshatru had captivated his father out of fear that he will donate everything of Maurya Kingdom to Buddha. Bimbisar could see from the Jail everyday when Buddha would walk to Gridhakuta Parwat and would feel very happy.
===Jarasandha Ka Akhara===
The great warrior who had defated Krishna and had forced him to migrate to Dwarika from Mathura used to practice martial arts every day.
===Venuvana===
Bimbisara had given this beautiful park to Lord Buddha so that he can take rest here and give discourses to people.
Karand Tank, Maniyar Math, Swarnabhandar Cave, Pippala Cave, Viswa Shanti Stupa, the famous Hot Water Springs and ruins of an Old Fort, 40 km long and 12 ft wide 2500 year old cyclopean walls.
===Lakshmi Narayan Mandir===
This pink-hued temple stands beside the hot springs and, as the name indicates, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort, Goddess Lakshmi
===Other places===
Other archaeological sites including the Karnada Tank where Lord Buddha used to bathe, the Maniyar Math that dates from the 1st century AD, the Maraka Kukshi where the still unborn Ajatashatru was cursed as a patricide, the Rannbhumi where Bhima and Jarasandh fought one of the Mahabharat battles. The Chariot Route and shell inscriptions are worth a visit for the strangeness of the phenomenon, two parallel furrows cut deep into the rock for about thirty feet giving credence to the local belief that they were "burnt" into the rock by the speed and power of Lord Krishna's chariot when he entered the city of Rajgir during the epic Mahabharata times. Several shell inscriptions, the un-deciphered characters current in central and eastern India from the 1st to the 5th centuries AD, are engraved in the rock around the chariot marks.
Where to stay
There are a number of moderately priced hotels available in Rajgir. Tourists can stay at any of three tourists bungalows of Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (Tel: 06119-5273) located here, having air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms for pilgrims following the Buddha's trail, can divest themselves of the fatigue of their journey, by using the facilities and hospitality extended by the Centaur Hokke Hotel at Rajgir. (Tel:06119-5245/5231)
==Weather==
Temperature: maximum 40 °C, minimum 20 °C. Winter: maximum 28 °C, minimum 6 °C<br>
Rainfall: 1,860 mm (mid-June to mid-September)<br>
Best season: October to March
==How to reach==
Air: The nearest airport is Patna (107 km).
Rail: Rajgir is now connected with Rail with Patna.
Road: Rajgir is connected by Road to Patna, Gaya, Delhi and Calcutta.
Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation organises trips for Rajgir, Nalanda etc from its headquarter i.e. Tourist Bhawan, Beer Chand Patel Path Patna 800001. Tel: 0612-225411, FAX: 0612-236218. Air Conditioned and Non-Air Conditioned cars, mini deluxe coaches, and deluxe coaches are also available.
==External links==
* [http://bihar.nic.in/Depts/Tourism/Rajgir.htm]
* Picture of 40 km long, 12 ft wide and 8ft high, 2500 year old cyclopean wall [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Rajgir_Cyclopean_Wall.JPG]
▲[[Categoria:Cidades e vilas de Bihar]]
[[en:{{subst:PAGENAME}}Rajgir]]
[[zh:王舍城]]
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