Vaishali

An early republic, Ashoka's lion pillar and the Buddha's last sermon

Vaishali, 40 km north of Patna across the Ganges, was the capital of the Licchavis, often called one of the world's earliest republics. The Buddha preached here often and announced his coming death here. Visit for a half-day between Rajgir and Kushinagar to see Ashoka's lion pillar, the relic stupa and nearby Kesaria.

Photo: Amaan Imam · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

In the Buddha's time, Vaishali was a prosperous city ruled not by a king but by an assembly of the Licchavi clan, part of the Vajji confederacy. Historians often cite it as one of the earliest known republics. The Buddha visited many times, accepted a mango grove from the courtesan Amrapali and, on his final journey, told his disciples here that he would soon pass away. About a century after his death, the second Buddhist council met in the city.

Vaishali is also sacred to Jains as the birthplace of Mahavira, born in nearby Kundagrama, and the region keeps a strong sense of that dual heritage. Today the ancient city is a scatter of excavated mounds, tanks and stupas among villages and mango orchards on the plain north of the Ganges, quiet and rarely crowded.

The finest monument is the Ashokan pillar at Kolhua, a single polished shaft topped by a lion, standing beside a brick stupa and a tank. Nearby are the relic stupa, where a casket of the Buddha's ashes was found in 1958, the Abhishek Pushkarini tank and a Japanese peace pagoda. We see Vaishali in half a day on the drive from Rajgir or Patna towards Kesaria and Kushinagar; there is no hotel we recommend here.

Highlights

What Vaishali does best

The lion pillar at KolhuaAmong the best preserved of Ashoka's pillars, a single shaft of polished sandstone topped by a seated lion facing north, said to point the way the Buddha took on his last journey. A brick stupa and a tank stand beside it.
The relic stupaA small mud and brick stupa where archaeologists found a stone casket in 1958 with ashes believed to be part of the Licchavis' share of the Buddha's relics. The casket is housed in a museum; check current status before you travel.
Abhishek PushkariniA large tank where, by tradition, Licchavi rulers were anointed. Its waters were considered sacred. The Japanese peace pagoda stands on its far bank.
Mahavira's birthplaceJain tradition places the birth of Mahavira at Kundagrama, near Vaishali. A memorial and temples at Basokund draw Jain pilgrims, especially on Mahavira Jayanti in March or April.
Kesaria stupaAbout 55 km north-west, this huge terraced brick stupa, partly excavated, is among the largest in India. It marks where the Buddha is said to have given his begging bowl to the Licchavis who followed him.

Experiences

Four hours to plan around

culture · 1.5 hours Ashoka's lion pillar at Kolhua Vaishali, UP & Bihar

spiritual · 1 hour The relic stupa and the coronation tank Vaishali, UP & Bihar

culture · 1.5 hours The great brick stupa at Kesaria Vaishali, UP & Bihar

spiritual · 1 hour Mahavira's birthplace at Kundagrama Vaishali, UP & Bihar

Getting there

How to reach Vaishali

Air

Patna (PAT) is about 45 km away, 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic over the Ganges bridges. Check current status before you travel for flight schedules.

Rail

Hajipur Junction, about 35 km away, is the nearest major station. Most travellers arrive by road from Patna or Rajgir.

Road

From Rajgir, Vaishali is about 145 km and 3.5 to 4 hours via Patna. From Vaishali to Kushinagar via Kesaria is about 200 km and 5 hours.

Where to stay

Rooms we book

We do not recommend staying in Vaishali itself, where only basic state tourism and pilgrim rest houses operate. Most of our guests see Vaishali and Kesaria on the long drive between Rajgir and Kushinagar, or stay a night in Patna, about 45 km south, at one of the city's better business hotels. Patna also offers the Bihar Museum, one of the finest modern museums in India, which makes a night there worthwhile for those interested in history.

From our planners

Five things to know

Combine Vaishali with Kesaria and break the long drive from Rajgir to Kushinagar into a full day with a picnic lunch.
Traffic over the Ganges bridges at Patna can be slow; leave early and allow buffer time.
Carry water and snacks, as there are few good places to eat around the sites.
The relic casket's display location has changed over the years; check current status before you travel.
Mahavira Jayanti in March or April brings Jain pilgrims and cultural events to Vaishali.

Questions travellers ask

Questions about Vaishali

Why is Vaishali important for Buddhists?

The Buddha visited Vaishali many times, accepted Amrapali's mango grove for his monks, allowed women to be ordained here according to tradition, and announced his approaching death here. The Licchavis received a share of his relics, and the second Buddhist council met here about a century after his death.

Is Vaishali the world's first republic?

Vaishali was the capital of the Licchavis in the Vajji confederacy, governed by an assembly of clan representatives rather than a hereditary king. Many historians call it one of the earliest known republics, around the 6th century BCE, though how it worked is known mainly from later texts.

How far is Vaishali from Patna?

About 45 km north, across the Ganges, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by car depending on traffic on the bridges. From Rajgir it is about 145 km via Patna. Most travellers visit Vaishali as a half-day on the way to Kesaria and Kushinagar.

Should I stay overnight in Vaishali?

We do not recommend it, as accommodation is basic. Most travellers see Vaishali as part of the long drive from Rajgir to Kushinagar, or stay in Patna, about 45 km away, where better hotels and the Bihar Museum make a night worthwhile.

What is the best time to visit Vaishali?

October to March, when days are mild and the countryside is green after the monsoon. Mornings in December and January can be foggy, so we start a little later. From April the heat builds quickly. Mahavira Jayanti in March or April adds festival events.

How long should I spend in Vaishali?

Three to four hours covers the main sites: the Kolhua lion pillar, the relic stupa, Abhishek Pushkarini, the peace pagoda and the Jain memorial. Add 1.5 hours for Kesaria if continuing towards Kushinagar. Start early to finish the drive before dark.

Who was Amrapali?

Amrapali was a famous courtesan of Vaishali in the Buddha's time. According to Buddhist texts, she invited the Buddha and his monks to a meal and gave them her mango grove. She later became a nun. Her story is well known in India and has inspired novels and films.

Is Vaishali on the Buddhist circuit?

Yes. Vaishali is one of the eight great places of Buddhist pilgrimage traditionally listed, and is included in most Indian Buddhist circuit tours between Rajgir or Patna and Kushinagar. Our circuit visits it with Kesaria on the drive north to Kushinagar.

Is there a museum in Vaishali?

Vaishali has a small ASI site museum with finds from the excavations, and a newer museum and memorial stupa built to house the relic casket. Opening days and displays change, so check current status before you travel. Patna's Bihar Museum is the best place in the state for the wider history.