Vaishali does have a special place in my heart as I have read it for a long long time in history books about 16 Mahajanpadas and Vaishali happens to be my sasural(Husband’s birthplace). I have been in and out of this place for the past 7 years but on this fine day, we planned one day trip to visit the versatility offered by Vaishali.
What is the importance of the Vaishali place?
Vaishali is a great Buddhist pilgrimage and also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. It is said that the Buddha visited this place thrice and spent quite a long time there. The Buddha also delivered his last sermon at Vaishali and announced his Nirvana here. After his death, Vaishali also held the second Buddhist Council.
Jubilant to find my last name -Mall
Since I have learned about ancient history I am always fascinated by how mighty they might have been, and how many struggles they must have faced to make a kingdom whose name is engraved on red sandstone which is really impressive to treasure it.
What I can do today is to take inspiration on how to carry on that torch of the magnanimity of generations.
The present Kushinagar is identified with Kusavati (in the pre-Buddha period) and Kushinara (in the post-Buddha period). It was the capital of one of the two Malla republics. The two Malla republics comprised one of the sixteen mahajanpads (oligarchic republics) of India in the 6th century BCE.
Malla (Prakrit: 𑀫𑀮𑁆𑀮𑀈 ; Sanskrit: मल्ल Malla) was an ancient Indo-Aryan tribe of मल्ल South Asia whose existence is attested during the Iron Age. The population of Malla, the malla , were divided into two branches, each organised into a gaṇasaṅgha (an aristocratic oligarchic republic), presently referred to as the Malla Republics, which were part of the larger Vajjika League
What is Vishwa Shanti stupa famous for?
Vishwa Shanti Stupa (English: World Peace Stupa) is a giant white Peace Pagoda in Rajgir, Nalanda District, Bihar, near Gitai Mandir. Statues of the Buddha are mounted on the stupa in four directions. It also has a small Japanese Buddhist temple with a large park.
What is the old name of Vaishali?
It is believed that the ancient city of Vaishali got its name from King Vishal. Initially, it went by the name of Vishalapuri which was later on changed to Vesali or Vaishali. And the Vishal Fort here is believed to have been the parliament of the Lichchavis.
Where is Vaishali from history?
Vaishali, Pali Vesali, city of ancient India, north of Patna, northwestern Bihar state, on the Gandak River. In antiquity, Vaishali was the capital of the Licchavi Republic and was closely associated with the early histories of Buddhism and Jainism.
1. Vishwa Shanti Stupa
This stupa is a symbol of peace and love and enshrines the relics of Buddha in its foundation and top.
Vaishali is the place where Buddha preached his last sermon before his Nirvana. The Vishwa Shanti Stupa is erected according to the teaching of the Saodharma Pundarika Sutra (The lotus Sutra) to disseminate love and peace and to create “The pure Land” on the earth.
The construction of the stupa all over the world was initiated by most Ven. Nichidatsu Fuji Guruji, after seeing the tragedy of atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki of Japan, at the end of World War 2.
Some local kids were pulling out lotus flowers from a pond nearby and were selling them at 10 rupees per bud.
Nipponzan Myhoji and Rajgir Buddha Vihar Society have built the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Vaishali. Through the contribution of devotees in India and Japan, The Lord Buddha’s relics have been enshrined on the foundation and on the top of the stupa.
Kolhua
Kolhua is a famous Buddhist excavation site situated approximately 65 km North-West of Patna. The excavations have revealed the famous Ashokan Pillar having a statue of a lion on the top. Excavations also revealed, many other articles related to Buddhism.
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.
A life-size figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar facing north, believed to be the direction of Lord Buddha’s last voyage. Generally, the pillars bear inscriptions by King Ashoka, but the one in Vaishali does not contain any such inscriptions.
Unlike other Ashokan Pillars, the pillar at Vaishali bears only one old lion carved in a seated position a the top signifies the end of the warrior inside King Ashoka and his new beginning as a Buddhist.
Identified by Alexander Cunningham, the pillar holds great significance for Buddhists as it is the place where Lord Buddha gave his last sermon and announcement of his approaching nirvana.
The pillar is preserved with utmost perfection and is still intact. There is a small tank called Ramkund situated within the premises. Nearby are the skeletal remains of a monastery known as Kitagarsala where Buddha used to stay during the rainy seasons spent at Vaishali.
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Entry: Rs. 5 for Indians & Rs.100 for Foreigners
The Vaishali pillar has a single lion capital. The location of this pillar is contiguous to the site where a Buddhist monastery and a sacred coronation tank stood. Excavations are still underway and several stupas suggesting a far-flung campus for the sanctuary have been discovered.
The lion faces north, the direction Buddha took on his last voyage. Identification of the site for excavation in 1969 was aided by the fact that this pillar still jutted out of the soil. More such pillars exist in this greater area but they are all devoid of the capital.
Mahaveer
Vaishali district is known for its many religious significance. The history of this district has been extended from Lord Buddha to Lord Mahavir.
