The election atmosphere is heated in Bihar. Different political parties and leaders are visiting their respective areas and trying to reach out to the voters. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has a special relationship with his home area Nalanda. Nalanda is not just the center of politics, but it is a well-known name of history and spirituality throughout the world. This is the place where centuries ago the world’s oldest residential university stood, which imparted knowledge to thousands of scholars.
Even though the ruins of Nalanda University are the biggest attraction here, there are 5 more places around it, which will make your trip memorable and will introduce you to the rich cultural heritage of India. if you Bihar If you are planning to travel, then do not forget to include these spiritual and historical places in your list. We tell you the story of these special places in and around Nalanda.
1. Nalanda University ruins
The biggest proof of the glorious past of Nalanda are the ruins of the university standing here. Established during the time of the Gupta kings in the 5th century AD, the institution flourished till the 12th century and became one of the first residential universities in the world. Today, visiting these vast ruins, walking among their temples, monasteries and stupas, will make you realize the intellectual and spiritual power of ancient India. Not only this, it is felt that knowledge is embedded in the soil itself.
2. Black Buddha Temple
There is a modern temple near the ruins of Nalanda University, which the local people call Telia Bhairav or Black Buddha Temple. The special identity of this temple is the ancient and grand black colored statue of Lord Buddha present here. In which Buddha is sitting in ‘Bhoomisparsh Mudra’. The local people here still respect this statue. The old mention of this temple is also found in the report of Archeology Department of 1861-62. Which shows that the flow of religious devotion has never broken here for centuries.
3. Xuanzang Memorial Hall
Near the remains of Nalanda University stands the Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall, dedicated to the famous Chinese traveler and great scholar Hiuen Tsang. He had studied here in ancient times. This hall pays tribute to his long travels and his invaluable contribution to the understanding of Buddhism in India. Which tells how Nalanda had attracted scholars from far-flung countries.
4. Gridhkoot Mountain
This mountain looks like a vulture’s head, hence it is called Vulture Peak or Gridhkoot Mountain. It has great importance in the texts of Buddhism. It is believed that Lord Buddha gave his famous lotus sermon while sitting on this peak. Not only this, it is said that this was also Buddha’s favorite place to meditate. This is the reason why even today, tourists coming here feel its natural beauty and deep spiritual peace. Apart from this, the Buddha statue of 600 BC found from this site is now safe in the Nalanda Museum.
5. Water Temple
Jal Mandir literally means ‘water temple’. This is a major pilgrimage site of Jainism. According to mythology, this is the place where Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, was cremated. The specialty of this temple is that it is built in the middle of a Kamal Sarovar (lake full of lotuses). The ancient “Charan Paduka” of Lord Mahavir is installed in its center. It is believed that King Nandivardhan, elder brother of Lord Mahavir, had built this temple. This place is famous for its beauty and spirituality.
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