Rajgir: The first capital of Magadha
The Rajgir Safarnama is a 7 km route across 4 stops, from Venu Vana to Vishwa Shanti Stupa, part of the Buddhist Circuit. See the whole trail.
Venu Vana
Venu Vana is a forest at Rajgir with historical associations to the Buddha and the kings of the region, with a Japanese temple beside it.
Saptaparni Cave
Saptaparni Cave, the 'seven-leaves cave', is set into a hill about 2 km south-west of Rajgir. Many believe the first Buddhist council was held here after the Buddha's death, when a few hundred monks met to set down his teachings.
Vulture Peak
Vulture Peak, Gijjhakuta in Pali, was by Buddhist tradition the Buddha's favourite retreat at Rajagaha, now Rajgir, and the scene of many of his discourses. It is named for a rock that looks like a sitting vulture with folded wings.
Vishwa Shanti Stupa
The white Vishwa Shanti Stupa on Ratnagiri hill was established by the Japanese monk Nichidatsu Fujii of the Nipponzan Myohoji order and inaugurated on 25 October 1969. It is one of around 80 Peace Pagodas the order has built around the world.