Gridhakuta Hill:
About 10km from the railway station is Gridhakuta
(Vulture's Peak), the hill from where Gautama Buddha
delivered many sermons, after he attained enlightenment.
It was here that the Buddha delivered two important
sutras - the Lotus Sutra and the Prajnaparamita (Perfection
of Wisdom Sutra).
Vishwa Shanti Stupa:
To mark the holy spot at the Gridhakuta Hill, there
stands today the 38m high Vishwa Shanti Stupa. The
awesome modern stupa can be reached by a chairlift,
a fifteen-minute round trip offering panoramic views.
Ajatashatru's Fort:
The ruins of a fort built by the king of Magadha,
Ajatashatru, can be seen here. Built in the 6th century,
it was within these high walls that he imprisoned
his father, Bimbisara. Archaeologists have discovered
the remains of Ajatshatru Stupa, which enshinres Magadha's
share of the Buddha's relics.
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.
Venuvana Vihar:
It is a Japanese shrine where a monastery was built
for the Buddha to live. It is said that king Bimbisara
as an offering to the buddha, built Venuvana or the
Monastery of the Bamboo Grove. Right next to it is
the now-muddy water tank, Karanda, in which the Buddha
bathed.
Saptadhara:
Gushing from the base of the Vaibhava Hill are the
seven hot springs, called Saptadhara, that attract
the religious as well as the sick. The hottest of
these sulphur springs is the Brahmakund, where the
water is a steaming 45 degrees centigrade. It is believed
that the Buddha used its waters to heal the ill and
the infirm.
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