Rajgir and Nalanda

Vulture Peak, the peace stupa and the ruins of Nalanda

Rajgir, the first capital of Magadha, sits in a ring of hills where the Buddha taught on Vulture Peak. Nalanda, the great monastic university, lies 12 km away. Stay two nights, climb Vulture Peak at dawn, take the ropeway to the peace stupa and give Nalanda's ruins a full morning.

Photo: Photo Dharma from Penang, Malaysia · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Rajgir, ancient Rajagriha, lies in a valley ringed by five rocky hills, about 75 km north-east of Bodh Gaya. Around 2,500 years ago it was the capital of Magadha under King Bimbisara and his son Ajatashatru, both followers of the Buddha. The Buddha spent many rainy seasons here, teaching on Vulture Peak, and after his death the first Buddhist council met in the Saptaparni cave on Vaibhar hill. Mahavira, the great Jain teacher, also spent many years in Rajgir.

The hills still hold traces of that time: a cyclopean stone wall that once ran about 40 km around the city, the bamboo grove of Venuvana given to the Buddha by Bimbisara, and hot springs at the foot of Vaibhar hill that remain a busy Hindu bathing place. On Ratnagiri hill, a white peace pagoda built by a Japanese order in 1969 is reached by ropeway.

Twelve kilometres north lie the ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara, a monastic university that taught Buddhist philosophy, logic, medicine and astronomy from the 5th century to about 1200, drawing students from China, Korea, Tibet and Southeast Asia. Its red-brick monasteries and temples became a UNESCO site in 2016. We base guests at the Japanese-run Indo Hokke Hotel and give Rajgir and Nalanda two unhurried days.

Highlights

What Rajgir and Nalanda does best

Vulture Peak at dawnA stone path, said to have been built by King Bimbisara, climbs about 20 minutes to the rocky ledge where the Buddha gave many teachings. At dawn, pilgrims chant on the small brick terrace as the valley comes into view.
Vishwa Shanti StupaA white peace pagoda on Ratnagiri hill, built in 1969 by the Japanese Nipponzan Myohoji order, with gilded Buddha images on four sides. A ropeway carries visitors up, giving wide views over the Rajgir hills.
Nalanda MahaviharaRed-brick monasteries with student cells, lecture halls and kitchens, and the great stupa-temple of Sariputta, spread over a large excavated site 12 km from Rajgir. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Saptaparni caveOn Vaibhar hill, a climb leads to the cave where, by tradition, the first Buddhist council met soon after the Buddha's death to agree his teachings. The path passes Jain temples on the way.
PawapuriAbout 20 km from Rajgir, a white marble Jain temple stands in a lotus pond where Mahavira's body was cremated. It is a calm detour on the road towards Nalanda or Patna.
The hot springsAt the foot of Vaibhar hill, the Brahmakund springs are a busy Hindu bathing place, with water flowing through spouts into tanks. Visit for the atmosphere rather than a bath.

Experiences

Four hours to plan around

spiritual · 2 hours Vulture Peak at dawn Rajgir and Nalanda, UP & Bihar

culture · 1.5 hours The peace stupa by ropeway Rajgir and Nalanda, UP & Bihar

culture · 4 hours A morning in the ruins of Nalanda Rajgir and Nalanda, UP & Bihar

culture · 3 hours Hot springs, cyclopean walls and Venuvana Rajgir and Nalanda, UP & Bihar

Getting there

How to reach Rajgir and Nalanda

Air

Patna (PAT) is about 100 km and 2.5 to 3 hours away; Gaya (GAY) is about 80 km and 2 hours. Check current status before you travel for flight schedules.

Rail

Rajgir has a small station with trains to Patna and beyond, but they are slow. Most travellers arrive by road from Bodh Gaya or Patna.

Road

From Bodh Gaya, the drive is about 75 km and 2 hours. Nalanda is 12 km and 25 minutes from Rajgir. Patna is about 100 km, and Vaishali about 145 km via Patna.

Where to stay

Rooms we book

Rajgir has no luxury hotel. The Indo Hokke Hotel, run with Japanese pilgrims in mind and set in quiet grounds, is our usual choice for its calm and good housekeeping. Bihar's state tourism corporation and a few private hotels offer simpler rooms in town. Some travellers stay in Bodh Gaya and visit Rajgir and Nalanda on a long day trip, but two nights in Rajgir is far more relaxed and lets you see Vulture Peak at dawn.

monastery-style retreat · Rajgir and Nalanda The Indo Hokke Hotel

A quiet, Japanese-influenced hotel in Rajgir, built with Buddhist pilgrims in mind, with simple, well-kept rooms and calm grounds. It is the most comfortable base for …

From our planners

Five things to know

Climb Vulture Peak at dawn or late afternoon, as the rock path has no shade.
The Nalanda Archaeological Museum is closed on Fridays; plan your visit around that.
Ropeway timings change and it can close for maintenance; check current status before you travel.
Carry water and wear shoes with grip for the stone paths on Vaibhar and Ratnagiri hills.
Allow at least three hours at Nalanda, plus the museum and the Xuanzang Memorial Hall nearby.

Questions travellers ask

Questions about Rajgir and Nalanda

Is Rajgir worth visiting?

Yes, for anyone interested in Buddhist or Jain history. Rajgir was the capital of Magadha and a favourite place of the Buddha, with Vulture Peak, Venuvana and the Saptaparni cave, and the ruins of Nalanda lie 12 km away. Two nights give time for both without rushing.

How many days do I need for Rajgir and Nalanda?

Two nights is ideal. Spend one morning at Vulture Peak and the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, an afternoon at Venuvana and the hot springs, and the next morning at Nalanda and its museum. With only one day, prioritise Nalanda and Vulture Peak.

Where should I stay in Rajgir?

The Indo Hokke Hotel, run with Japanese pilgrims in mind, is our usual choice for its quiet grounds and good housekeeping. Rajgir has no luxury hotel; Bihar state tourism and a few private hotels offer simpler rooms. Some travellers stay in Bodh Gaya and visit on a long day trip.

When is the best time to visit Rajgir?

October to March, when days are mild and the hill paths are pleasant. December and January can be foggy in the mornings but clear by midday. From April the heat makes climbing hard, and the monsoon brings humidity and slippery paths. Rajgir also hosts cultural festivals some years; check current status before you travel.

How do I get from Bodh Gaya to Rajgir?

By private car, about 75 km and 2 hours on rural roads through Bihar's villages. Leave Bodh Gaya after breakfast to reach Rajgir by late morning. Nalanda is a further 12 km. There is no practical train connection. Leave after a dawn visit to the Mahabodhi Temple and breakfast.

Is the Nalanda museum open every day?

No. The Nalanda Archaeological Museum is closed on Fridays, as are several ASI site museums. The ruins themselves are usually open daily from sunrise to sunset. Check current status before you travel and plan Nalanda for a Saturday to Thursday if you want the museum.

Is there a new Nalanda University?

Yes. A new Nalanda University, an international university supported by several Asian countries, began teaching in 2014 and has a new campus near Rajgir. It is a separate institution from the ancient ruins. Visits to the campus are not usually open to tourists without arrangement.

What is the significance of Rajgir for Jains?

Rajgir is sacred to Jains as the place where Mahavira, the 24th tirthankara, spent many rainy seasons and preached. Jain temples crown several of its hills, including Vaibhar. Pawapuri, about 20 km away, is where Mahavira died, and its marble temple in a lotus pond is a major pilgrimage site.

Is Rajgir suitable for older travellers?

Largely, yes. The ropeway reaches the Vishwa Shanti Stupa without climbing, Nalanda is flat with some steps, and Venuvana is a level garden. Vulture Peak needs a 20 to 30 minute climb, and the Saptaparni cave a steeper 45 minutes, which some may choose to skip.