Got a chance to visit Vaishali. Vaishali is an adjacent district of Muzaffarpur. Vaishali has many historical importances. Lichhavi republic in Vaishali was the first republic state of the world. Even the city of Nazareth is not as glorious as Vaishali. Vaishali is blessed by two superhuman – Mahavir and Buddha. Nazareth only has Jesus. According to me 500 BC to 0 BC was the golden era of human civilization. This era produced three known superhuman – Mahavir, Buddha and Jesus. The word known is important here. There were many superhuman about them we have no idea. Coz, they didn’t come forward. They kept the knowledge with themselves. We know only those who came forward. Many of the saints remained in the forest. But some of them came to society like Jesus, Buddha and Mahavir.
I had pre-planned to visit Vaishali. I reached my friend Prasoon’s house at 7:30am. We left for Vaishali at 8:00am. Since it was first time visit to Vaishali, we didn’t have idea of all the routes. So, we decided to take default route that is via Hajipur. From Hajipur took auto to reach LalGanj. Then from LalGanj took a mini bus to reach Vaishali village where Vishwa Shanti Stupa is located. We also hired a rikshaw. Rikshaw puller told us many things about Vaishali and Buddha etc. There are four golden statue of Buddha depecting his four states of life. Like enlightenment, sermon, mahaparinirvana etc. Buddha used to stay at this place in rainy season and used to give his sermon. I meditated for approx 20 mins in front of the statue depecting his enlightenment. This was a fine meditation. Meditation at such place is very effective. I wanted to meditate more but my friend was feeling hungry. Lol. So we left and had and had Samosa being sold at a small shop outside Shanti Stupa. There is also a big pond beside Shanti Stupa. In certain season you can also enjoy boating. There were not much people yesterday. There is a huge crowd in Buddha Purnima. There are also Baudh-Math made by Sri Lanka and Vietnam there.
Then we hired same Riskshaw puller to go Kalhua. In Kalhua there is Ashok – Stambh where Lord Buddha gave his last sermon. It is 3 KM from Shanti Stupa. Now this place is fine. I would recommend you to visit this place. Worth visitable. The stambh is almost 18 m high made of single stone. On the top of that there is a lion. This was made by Emperor Ashoka. There is also a small pond in the south of the pillar. There is also a stupa in which Anand’s ash is kept. Many foreigners come here to worship it. Initially we had no idea so we started walking on the stupa. Then one person said us not to walk on it. Lol. In fact I wanted to ride on the top of stupa. Lol There are any excavated brick structures which I suspected was kind of Math. Garden there is well maintained.
We had become tired of journey so took some rest just at the root of Ashoka Piller. I was thinking this is the place where Buddha kept his lotus feet. How lucky I am to visit this place. One interesting thing was Kalhua is part of Muzaffarpur. But people know it as part of Vaishali. Because, Vishwa Shanti Stupa is in Viahsali. And both places have immense importance in Buddhism.
Across the day, we couldn’t have any formal lunch. This time we took the shorter route and reached Muzaffarpur by 7pm.
This was a memorable visit. My next tour will be city of Nazareth, Jerusalem, Galilee, and Jordan River.
I had pre-planned to visit Vaishali. I reached my friend Prasoon’s house at 7:30am. We left for Vaishali at 8:00am. Since it was first time visit to Vaishali, we didn’t have idea of all the routes. So, we decided to take default route that is via Hajipur. From Hajipur took auto to reach LalGanj. Then from LalGanj took a mini bus to reach Vaishali village where Vishwa Shanti Stupa is located. We also hired a rikshaw. Rikshaw puller told us many things about Vaishali and Buddha etc. There are four golden statue of Buddha depecting his four states of life. Like enlightenment, sermon, mahaparinirvana etc. Buddha used to stay at this place in rainy season and used to give his sermon. I meditated for approx 20 mins in front of the statue depecting his enlightenment. This was a fine meditation. Meditation at such place is very effective. I wanted to meditate more but my friend was feeling hungry. Lol. So we left and had and had Samosa being sold at a small shop outside Shanti Stupa. There is also a big pond beside Shanti Stupa. In certain season you can also enjoy boating. There were not much people yesterday. There is a huge crowd in Buddha Purnima. There are also Baudh-Math made by Sri Lanka and Vietnam there.
Then we hired same Riskshaw puller to go Kalhua. In Kalhua there is Ashok – Stambh where Lord Buddha gave his last sermon. It is 3 KM from Shanti Stupa. Now this place is fine. I would recommend you to visit this place. Worth visitable. The stambh is almost 18 m high made of single stone. On the top of that there is a lion. This was made by Emperor Ashoka. There is also a small pond in the south of the pillar. There is also a stupa in which Anand’s ash is kept. Many foreigners come here to worship it. Initially we had no idea so we started walking on the stupa. Then one person said us not to walk on it. Lol. In fact I wanted to ride on the top of stupa. Lol There are any excavated brick structures which I suspected was kind of Math. Garden there is well maintained.
We had become tired of journey so took some rest just at the root of Ashoka Piller. I was thinking this is the place where Buddha kept his lotus feet. How lucky I am to visit this place. One interesting thing was Kalhua is part of Muzaffarpur. But people know it as part of Vaishali. Because, Vishwa Shanti Stupa is in Viahsali. And both places have immense importance in Buddhism.
Across the day, we couldn’t have any formal lunch. This time we took the shorter route and reached Muzaffarpur by 7pm.
This was a memorable visit. My next tour will be city of Nazareth, Jerusalem, Galilee, and Jordan River.
2 comments:
Nice to read about Vaishali. I was waiting for your post on your visit to various places in Bihar, coz I wanted to know about tourist place. Actually I have visited this place when was in class 11th but don't remember anything now.
Have you visited Mahabodhi Temple? I read that the stupa is made of a single piece of red sandstone. Aapne likha hai, On the top of that there is a lion, but there must be two more heads of lion joint(one left and one right) with the lion?
I guess Rikshaw wala must be knowing more than us about Vaishali. So thnx to him. Samosa ka naam padhkar garm samose samne dikhne laga aur muh mein pani aa gaya, bihar jaisa Samosa kahin nahi milta hai...delhi mein bhi nahi.
rgds.
No, couldn't visit Mahabodhi Temple. There is only one ashoka-piller in Vaishali and only one lion on top of that. The one you are talkig is in Sarnath and that has four lions pointing to four directions. The lion in vaishali is poiting to north where Buddha gave his last sermon.
On the pillar something is written on Pali language which we couldn't understand.
Yes, Rikshawala was knowing too much. He also told us about Amrapali - the city dancer that time.
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