Vaishali was one of the first Republican states of India, having an elected body of representatives. Vaishali is situated about 55 kms. to the north of Patna. Vaishali derived its name from King Vaishala, a famous ruler mentioned in the Ramayana. Vaishali was a famous city in the days of the Buddha. The Lord Buddha precahed his last sermons here, before attaining Nirvana or enlightenment. Vaishali is also famous for Amrapali, the beautiful dancer and courtesan of Vaishali, who offered Buddha a mango orchard and impressed by his teachings became a nun. The ruins of the old city have been discovered near the village Besarh on the north banks of the river Ganga. Vaishali today is a small village surrounded by banana and mango groves as well as rice fields. But excavations in the area have brought to light an impressive historical past. The epic Ramayana tells the story of the heroic King Vishal who ruled here. Historians maintain that one of the world’s first democratic republics with an elected assembly of representatives flourished here in the 6th century B.C. in the time of the Vajjis and the Lichchavis. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event. Jainism, too, has its origins in Vaishali, for in 527 B.C., Lord Mahavir was born on the outskirts of the city, and lived in Vaishali till he was 22. Vaishali is then twice blessed and remains an important pilgrim center for both Buddhists and Jains, attracting also historians foraging for the past.
Budha Stupa Vaishali
Quick Facts-Edit
Category : Pilgrim
Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours
Pincode: 201012
STD Code: 120
Info Website: vaishali.bih.nic.in
Best Time to Visit: Oct – Mar
HistoryEdit
Vaishali history dates back to the 6th century BC when it was a flourishing city. The city of Vaishali belonged to the Lichchavis, a clan of Kshatriyas who ruled the territory as a republic. Vaishali was one of the first cities in the world to adopt a republican form of government. This place was visited by the great Chinese travelers Fa-hien and Hiuen-Tsang who took back a piece of sculpture from one of the stupas. It is also said that once the city experienced a terrible plague. The citizens requested the Buddha to visit the city. With his arrival, the plague ended. The Buddha took a liking for the place and visited Vaishali several times to preach his gospel. Here, in the garden of the courtesan Amrapali, he delivered his last sermons and announced his nirvana from the world. Later, Emperor Ashoka built a huge lion pillor here in memory of the Buddha, to commemorate the spot of the last sermon. In 383 AD, the second Buddhist council was also held here to discuss the ten points of Vinaya, the rule of conduct under dispute and two stupas were erected to commemorate the event. The Ashoka Pillar, Ramkund, Buddhist stupas and Raja Vishal Ka Ghar are worth visiting places in Vaishali. The history of Vaishali district is thus very ancient, and finds mention in the Indian classic Mahabharata, as well as in Buddhist and Jain tradition.
Places to VisitAdd
How to ReachEdit
By Air : You cannot opt for flights to the town of Vaishali, as the town does not have an airport. The closest airport is located in the nearby city of Patna. The airport in Patna is very well connected and has regular flights to many destinations including Ranchi, Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow and Chennai. Flight fares will be quite costly when compared to the fares in the other modes of travel.Flights from the city of Chandigarh to Patna will charge fares of around Rs 8055. Flights from Chennai to Patna will charge fares that revolve around Rs 6033. You can also opt for flights to the city of Patna from Ahmedabad for fares ranging around Rs 5529.
By Train : Trains cannot be taken directly to the town of Vaishali, as it does not have a major railway station. The railway station in Muzaffarpur is located near Vaishali, and this is connected to Howrah, New Delhi, Jamshedpur, Hatia, and Ahmedabad by trains. Daily trains will be available to the cities of New Delhi, Mumbai and Howrah, and train fares from Mumbai to Muzaffarpur will range around Rs 457.
By BUS : Buses are the local modes of transport in Vaishali.
By Taxi : N.A
By Other : Auto rickshaws, Cycle rickshaws will also be available Vaishali
Top HotelsAdd
Budget – Up to Rs. 800
Marwari Awas Griha ; Fraser Road,, Patna-800001 ; Ph – 612-2220625-32 ; Facilities – In-house Vegetarian restaurant, TV, attached bath with running H/C Water, all major credit cards accepted.
Deluxe – Up to Rs. 1201 to Rs. 2500
Hotel Chanakya ; Beer Chand Patel Marg, Patna-800001 ; Ph – 612-2220590-96 ; Facilities – 24 hours room service, H/C running water, teelephon, fax, TV,two in-house restaurant and bar, money changer, doctor-on-call, laundry, safe deposit, business centre, fitness centere, traval desk, all major credit card accepted.
Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above
Hotel Chanakya ; Beer Chand Patel Marg, Patna-800001 ; Ph – 612-2220590-96 ; Facilities – 24 hours room service, H/C running water, teelephon, fax, TV,two in-house restaurant and bar, money changer, doctor-on-call, laundry, safe deposit, business centre, fitness centere, traval desk, all major credit card accepted.
Top RestaurantsAdd
Must Eat FoodAdd
Must Do ActivitiesAdd
Must ShopAdd
Nightlife (Pub / Disc / BAR)Add
SpaAdd
Naturals Family Salon And Spa ; 1-4/2, Kshitij Complex, 1st Floor, Vaishali Sector 4, Ghaziabad- 201010, Uttar Pradesh. ; Ph/M – (0120) 4134801, 9953002210 ; Cost: N.A ; Services – Facial Massage, Aroma Massage, Ayurvedic Massage, Head Massage, Full Body Massage.
Revital Mantra ; Gol Gravity, Sector 4, Vaishali, Ghaziabad ; Ph/M – 01202773480,01202774228 ; Cost: N.A ; Services – Foot Massage, Back Massage, Facial Massage, Aroma Massage, Ayurvedic Massage, Head Massage, Full Body Massage.
FestivalAdd
Vaishali Mahotsav ; Venue: Vaishali town of Sonepur. ; Period : April ; Details: Vaishali Mahotsava, celebrated at Vashali, is a popular festival. The Vaishali Mahotsav in mid April celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira. Situated at a distance of 35 km from Vaishali is the town of Sonepur, which hosts Asia’s largest cattle fair, the Harihar Kshetra Mela.
Safety / WarningEdit
N.A
HelplineEdit
- Police : 100,1090
- Fire : 101
- Ambulance : 102
ItineraryEdit
Day 1 :
10:00 am – Vishwa Shanti Stupa;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
1:00 pm – Lion Pillar ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
3:00 pm – Ramchaura ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
Day 2 :
10:00 am – Nepali Temple ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
1:00 pm – Buddha Stupa I and II ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
4:00 pm – Kutagarshala Vihara ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
Day 3 :
10:00 am – Bawan Pokhar Temple ;Approx. time spent : 2 hrs
12:00 pm – Abhishek Pushkarn;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
3:00 pm – Raja Vishal’s Garh ;Approx. time spent : 3 hrs
