Visiting the ruins of Nalanda Vishwa Vidyalaya had been on my Wish list for a long long time. So is true for Bodh Gaya and Rajgir. Despite being from Bihar, it took me years to visit these places – which holds its importance for being the seat of spirituality and learning. I have been to many places, but these three places stand out. The experience is inexplicable! You can feel the vibe emanating from the red brick walled corridors, hostels and the teaching area. You can see the charred and melted bricks – as a testimony to the act of arson by the invaders in which the entire library got gutted – it is said that the library had such a large stock of books and research papers that the fire continued for six months!
The ruins of Nalanda University is imposing! It had a nine story library, 10000 students, hostel for them – with spacious rooms , 7:1 Students to Teacher ratio, hostel for all, quality education and that too free of cost! Unbelievable, isn’t it! It was a humbling experience. Truly.
Then, the Bodh Gaya – saw the Bodhi Tree. I was told that the current tree is the fourth generation! One has to deposit the mobile , but can carry your Camera for a fee. As you enter the campus, peace and tranquility descends on you! Magical. Very neatly maintained. Beautiful Idol of Buddha in the main Bodhi Temple.
I was told that as you enter Bodh Gaya, you will feel as if you are not in India!(the phrase that we use to impress that the place is very neat and clean, well organised, etc..). Yes, the Bodhi Temple and the other Temples built by different countries are neat and clean, same is not true for Bodh Gaya. It is a normal place. Yes, during the winter most of the videshi tourists visit, it gets flooded with them and locals might get outnumbered during those days – giving it a firangi look!
Rajgir has many attractions – it was the Capital City – infact, the First Capital of Magadh! Son Bhandaar – is rumoured to hold huge treasure – but no one so far has got the clue to open it! The natural Hot Spring – has medicinal values – couldn’t take bath here due to heavy rush of the Bol Bum Kanwariyas – who on their return journey from Deogarh come here to take the medicinal hot bath – for getting relief from the pain and tiresome journey on foot!
At Pandu Pokhar in Rajgir, one can go for some sporting thrill – zip line, Burma Bridge, Boating and can also stay there in tented accommodation at a reasonable price.
I recommend to hire a local guide, it helps in better understanding of these seats of high learning!
The ruins of Nalanda University is imposing! It had a nine story library, 10000 students, hostel for them – with spacious rooms , 7:1 Students to Teacher ratio, hostel for all, quality education and that too free of cost! Unbelievable, isn’t it! It was a humbling experience. Truly.
Then, the Bodh Gaya – saw the Bodhi Tree. I was told that the current tree is the fourth generation! One has to deposit the mobile , but can carry your Camera for a fee. As you enter the campus, peace and tranquility descends on you! Magical. Very neatly maintained. Beautiful Idol of Buddha in the main Bodhi Temple.
I was told that as you enter Bodh Gaya, you will feel as if you are not in India!(the phrase that we use to impress that the place is very neat and clean, well organised, etc..). Yes, the Bodhi Temple and the other Temples built by different countries are neat and clean, same is not true for Bodh Gaya. It is a normal place. Yes, during the winter most of the videshi tourists visit, it gets flooded with them and locals might get outnumbered during those days – giving it a firangi look!
Rajgir has many attractions – it was the Capital City – infact, the First Capital of Magadh! Son Bhandaar – is rumoured to hold huge treasure – but no one so far has got the clue to open it! The natural Hot Spring – has medicinal values – couldn’t take bath here due to heavy rush of the Bol Bum Kanwariyas – who on their return journey from Deogarh come here to take the medicinal hot bath – for getting relief from the pain and tiresome journey on foot!
At Pandu Pokhar in Rajgir, one can go for some sporting thrill – zip line, Burma Bridge, Boating and can also stay there in tented accommodation at a reasonable price.
I recommend to hire a local guide, it helps in better understanding of these seats of high learning!
