RAJGIR
Rajgir is a small hilly area, just 93 kilometres away form the capital city Patna, where you can still find more number of ‘tamtams’ (carts driven by horses) than auto rickshaws! The allure draws the romantics to this place, a town that allows them to get a sense of times when things were not that hasty! It is one of the famous tourist spots in the state of Bihar and is also part of the Buddhist circuit promoted by the government integrating all the places of Buddhist significance.
The town has an ancient history that goes back to more than 3000 years with the mention even found in the pages of the great Epics like Mahabharata. It has been an important part of major religions like Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. The beauty of the place comes partly from the seven hills that surround it and partly from the religious and natural significance that it holds. Both Buddha and Mahavira are believed to have spent many years of their lives here.
The WIldlife Safari
There are many centres of attraction in this small but beautiful place, and the most recent addition is the Zoo / Wildlife Safari which was inaugurated in February 2022.
The tough fight for tickets
With all the excitement and merriness we arrived at the destination by 7:30 am sharp but what we saw there was tiring at the very first sight – the long queue for tickets. The prima facie thought that came to mind was “really”? In a time when everything right from live cricket to movies is booked online, are we really going the old school way! And..to some extent, the thought was – is it really worth it? Well, little did we know then that the answer was YES!!
(Later we came to know the online booking system had started in the beginning but had to be halted due to the technical glitches and heavy traffic. However, it is soon set to restart and we really hope it does)
Click here to know more about the Wildlife Safari
So finally after the 1-hour long wait in the chain of waiting heads, we finally got the tickets. We could finally move in.
The Rajgir Zoo Safari
Tickets price: Rs 250 per adult
Timing: 9 AM to 5:00 PM
Best time: The pre-evening time (3:00 pm to 5:00 pm) or the first slot in the morning (9:00 am)
Other attraction centres in the safari: The Museum and the Theatre (no extra fee) \
Accessibility to Rajgir is through multiple modes, as listed below
The Nearest Airport is JPN International Airport in Patna (110 km). Patna is well linked to all major Indian cities including Kolkata, Bombay, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Ranchi, Lucknow. Rajgir is also connected to Gaya International Airport (78 km) which is connected to International Destinations like Bangkok, Colombo, Thimphu etc.
Rajgir itself has a Railway Station (RGD) which is connected to Patna, Kolkata and New Delhi via daily trains. Rajgir is well connected to Gaya Railway Station (GAYA), which is one India’s busiest rail routes. |
Rajgir is well connected by road to Patna (110 km), Nalanda ( 15 km), Gaya (78 km), Pawapuri (38 km), Bihar Sharif (25 km). Regular Bus Services are available from all these locations. |
The Wildlife Safari was only recently opened in February 2022. Besides that also, there are many other centres of attractions for tourists in Rajgir.
The Nature Safari
The Sky Walk
Just a few kilometres from the Wildlife Safari is yet another recently inaugurated ‘Nature’s Safari’. The primary centre of attraction of Nature’s Safari is the ‘Glass Bridge – the Sky Walk’ – the first such bridge ever constructed in India (on the lines of the Chinese glass bridge). The bridge is constructed at the peak of the hill through a web of suspensions.
To know more about the Sky Walk, click here
The Swing and the Thrill – The Hanging Bridge
After a few metres of walking from the glass bridge, there lies the Hanging Bridge – without any pillar – joining the peaks of two different mountain peaks. The swinging walk through the sky from one high to the other is an altogether different and thrilling experience in itself! Then there are options for other adventures as well like zip-lining and sky cycling. It is advisable to put your sports shoes on as the walk is going to be through the not-so-smooth hilly pathways which are cut through to create these centres.
The Vishwa Shanti Stupa
It is an important place of attraction not just for the Buddhists but for all the people who come daily in thousands to enjoy the calmness of the marble stupa which is located on a 400-metre high hill. Reaching this hill-top stupa requires a thrilling journey through ropeways.
Ropeways
The ropeways are taken to reach the Vishwa Shanti Stupa that stands at the peak of the 400-metre high hill. There are two options in the ropeways. One is an enclosed box and the other, the older one, is like an open hanging chair taking you along the rope. Though the excitement and enjoyment is the same in both, the more thrill and nature can be experienced through the open-chair type (personal experience).
Ghorakatora Dam
This is an artificial lake in the valley of the same range of hills that houses the Vishwa Shanti Stupa. The most remarkable attraction of the place is the enticing sitting-posture idol of Buddha right in the middle of the lake and the many ducks swimming around it. Tourists can enjoy the mesmerising serenity of the place through boat rides.
Rajgir Kunds
Rajgir is also a place with multiple sites of hot springs (also referred to as kunds). The ‘Suraj Kund’ is the most popular among them. The water of these kunds is naturally hot through all the months and seasons. Taking bath in them has religious significance attached to them. The fact that these kunds also contain many such minerals that have medicinal value, adds some element of validation to these beliefs.
Pandu Pokhara
If you are here to spend some really quality and fun time with your kids and family, then Pandupokhar is the place that fits best. The place is an all-in-one themed amusement park-cum-resort offering multiple alternatives of enjoyment for all age groups. It has something for everyone – from the joyful cycle ride through nature’s pathways to the gamut of adventurous activities including zip-lining, bungee jumping, bridge games, traditional and modern sports, zorbing balls and many more. One can also relish the delicious snacks and meals in the multiple restaurants within the park premises. The place offers a combo-pack of fun-filled days and nature’s solace.
To know more about the Pandu Pokhara, click here
Cyclopean Wall
Want to have some experience of walking through the lanes of Greece? Well, the good news is that you don’t have to fly all the way to Greece for that. One can get an almost similar experience just by driving through the lanes of Rajgir. The city is roughly surrounded by the traces of fortified walls which were built with massive undressed stones fitted together along the Ratnagiri hills. This gives it a striking resemblance to the ancient Greek wall.
To know more about the Cyclopean Wall, click here
It is a place that is packed with adventure, religiosity, serenity and mindfulness – a perfect destination to go for a vacation to escape the monotonicity of life. A refreshing break that will reset your spirits and rejuvenate your mind!
For hotel suggestions – click here