Viswa Shanti Stupa Rajgir

VISHWA SHANTI STUPA

Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India

God

Vishwa Shanti Stupa is a large stupa of white color where prayers are done for universal peace. Glimmering Statues Of Buddha are mounted on a stupa in four directions.

Interesting Facts

Not only as a place of worship, but Rajgir has also come up as a health and winter resort with its warm water ponds. These ponds are said to contain some medicinal properties which help in the cure of many skin diseases.
It also has a small Japanese Buddhist temple with a large park. Historically, it has been told that Lord Buddha delivered many teachings in this place.

Best Season To Visit

The best season to visit the temple is Winter season. The best months to visit area October to December.

Weather

Highest - April to June (38°C during day and 22°C during night)Average - May (36°C during the day and 21°C during night)Lowest - December to February (20°C during day and 14°C during night)Monsoon season - June to August

Dress Code

For men the dress code is t-shirt and shorts are fine, but shorts need to be below-knee.
Don't wear singlets/tank tops and flip flops.
For women the preferred dress code is nothing too short and revealing. Don't wear Short Pants, Mini Skirts and Short Skirts.
One should be covered over the shoulders and to the elbows. Always bring a wrap or a large scarf to cover yourself.

Do's & Dont's

Bow your head and pay respect to the temple and the Buddha statues.
Take off your shoes in or around the temple grounds. Make this an easier process for yourself by wearing slip-on shoes.

Smoking and drinking is prohibited in this temple.
Chewing betel leaves, tobacco, gutka and spitting inside temple is strictly prohibited.

transport connections

Name	Distance	Contact Number
Rajgir Bus Stand	5.5 KM	0612-2222011
Rajgir Railway Station	5.9 KM	139
Gaya Airport	73.2 KM	06312210129

Railway Station Name	Distance	Contact Number
Rajgir Railway Station	5.9 KM	139

Airport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Gaya Airport	73.2 KM	06312210129

Architecture

World Peace Pagoda at Rajgir is made of spotless white marble and is a remarkable monument. Vishwa Shanti Stupa is the tallest peace Pagoda in the world standing tall at 400 meters and houses four statues of Lord Buddha on the four side-corners of the stupa. The four statues on four corner-sides of stupa depict the four phases of life of Lord Buddha. These statues are made of gold. These statues depicting, birth, enlightenment, teaching and passing away of Lord Buddha are symbolical of Lord Buddha’s teachings and transient life. These stupa or Japanese Pagoda are an excellent example of the oriental style of architecture. Though all of the pagodas are not built under the guidance of Nichidatsu Fujji, most of them have been built either under his guidance or under his recommendations.

Religious Significance

The legend has it that the ancient city Rajagriha existed even before Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The capital of the great Magadh empire, Rajagriha was fortified by stone wall which exists partially. The natural fortification by five hills and some of the caves were believed to be Buddha’s favorite abode for meditation.

Rajgir has been mentioned in the epic Mahabharata too. One of the Magadh king Jarasandha, who never shared a cordial relation with the Pandava brothers, was defeated by Lord Krishna 17 times. The 18th time Krishna left the battlefield without fighting. As a consequence, Krishna is also called Ranachorh (one who has left the battlefield). Mahabharata also recounts a wrestling match between Bhima and Jarasandha. Jarasandha was invincible as his body could rejoin any dismembered limbs. In memory of the Magadh king, there is a famous Jarasandha’s Akhara (where wrestling is practised). According to the legend, Bhim split Jarasandha into two and threw the two halves facing opposite to each other so that they could not join.

Rajgir is sacred to the memory of the founders of both the religions, Buddhism as well as Jainism. It was here that Gautam Buddha spent several months meditating and preaching at Gridhakuta (hill of the vultures). He also delivered many of his famous sermons and made Magadh king Bimbisara convert to Buddhism.

History

The initial pagoda reached completion in 1969. Construction was started in April 1990 and completed in Oct 1996. In 1965, the then President Dr. Radha Krishnan had laid the foundation stone for this stupa, which was eventually inaugurated by President V.V. Giri on October 25, 1969. Since then, every year, the event is organised on October 25 by Rajgir Buddha Vihara Society to remember the sacred “Lotus Sutra”, a message of peace and brotherhood preached thousands of years ago by Lord Buddha atop the Gridhakuta hill.

On one of the hills is the Saptparni cave where the first Buddhist Council was held under the leadership of Maha Kassapa. Lord Mahavira too spent 14 years of his life at Rajgir and nearby areas, spending chaturmas (four months during monsoon) at a single place in Rajgir and the rest in the places in the vicinity. It was the capital of his favourite shishya (follower) king Shrenik. Rajgir is therefore an important religious place for Jains too.

Temple Timings

Day	Timings
All Days	09:00 AM - 04:00 PM

Tours

Airports

Airport Name	Distance
Shamshabad	40 KM
Lorem Ipsum	12 KM

Railway Stations

Railway Station Name	Distance
Secunderabad	10 KM
Nampally	12 KM
Begumpet	6 KM
Lingampally	20 KM

Bus Stations

Bus Station Name	Distance
MGBS	35 KM
CBS	28 KM
kukatpally	20 KM
Lingampally	30 KM
Uppal	35 KM

Private Transports

Transport Name	Distance	Contact Number
Private Transport	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757
Private Transport1	8 KM	9546858757