Vaishali

Vaishali, once a flourishing city, is now a small village in the state of Bihar in India. It was one of the earliest republics of the world which flourished during 6th century BC. The place is especially sacred for Buddhists and Jains. It was here, Buddha preached his last sermon. It is also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankar of Jains. It is also important of the Hindus, because it also figures in the epic Ramayana. The place is so much important that the district in which this village is situated is named after it.

As per the story of the Ramayana, a heroic king Vishal ruled here. This village is obviously named after him. Vaishali had been the center for trade and industry for a long time, especially during the reigns of the Mauryas and the Guptas. Historians maintain that it was 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. Excavations in the area have brought to light an impressive historical past.

Emperor Ashoka in the third century BC had erected one of his famous lion pillars here to commemorate the delivery of the last sermon by Buddha. A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha, Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council, and two stupas were erected to commemorate that event.

Lord Mahavir was born on the outskirts of the city in 527 BC, and lived here until he attained the age of 22. In this way, it has become an important religious place for Jains.

On the outskirts of Vaishali stood the grand double storied Buddhist monastery. Buddha often discoursed here.

A life size-pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha's last sermon and announcement of his approaching nirvana. The lion faces north, the direction Buddha took on his last voyage. Adjacent to this is the tank associated with the monkeys offering honey. Nearby are the skeletal remains of a monastery where Buddha resided and a votive stupas dot the region.

Vaishali museum is located here. Facing the museum is the Abhishek Pushkarni which was holy to Lichchhavis. On one side of the lake is newly built Vishwa Shanti Stupa, a sixth in the series to be erected in India. Close to the museum is the shaded stupa which is supposed to have housed the casket relic with the ashes of Buddha.

Among the important historical remains is the ancient Parliament referred to Raja Vaihala Ka Garh. Bawan Pokhar temple houses a rich collection of black basalt images dating back to the Gupta and Pala period. Another black basalt, four headed Shivling (Choumukhi Mahadeva) was discovered when a reservoir was being dug. Behind the bawan pokhar temple is a Jain temple famous for its image of the Trithankar. A little distance from these temples lies the Lotus Tank which used to be a picnic spot of the Lichchhavis.