Rajgir Kund — Attraction in Rajgir

It is located in the Indian state of Bihar about 60 km southeast of the capital Patna. Rajgir is famous for rock-cut caves, forts, Buddhist ruins, shell inscriptions, Hindu and Jain temples and Muslim tombs. The place is well connected to other parts of Bihar and eastern India through railway and roads.

Best Time To Visit

The climate of Rajgir like the other parts of the Gangetic plains is extreme. The summer months from April to July are hot and humid here and the average temperature can reach approximately 45°C and the relative humidity can go up to around 80 percent. Winters are cold with the average night temperature at around 10°C. Normally, the average temperature stays around 20°C. Monsoon touches this region in July/August and continues till September

History

Now a small town, Rajgir was once the capital of the kingdom of the mighty Magadh empire and was known by various names such as Vasumati, Barhdrathpura, Girivraja, Kusagrapura, and Rajgriha. The great Hindu epic Ramayana says that the mythical king Vasu, a son of Lord Brahma, founded this town and named it Vasumati.

Tourists Attractions

Rajgir, though small area wise, is an important pilgrimage center for three of the great religions of India, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. There are pilgrimage sites of each of these religions in the town.

On the Vaibhava hill are the Saptkarni caves where the first Buddhist Council was held. The Saptkarni cave is also the source of the Rajgir hot Sulphur springs that have curative properties and are scared to the Hindu's.

From the foot of the Vaibhava Hill, a staircase leads up to the various temples. Separate bathing places have been organized for men and women and the water comes out from spouts through the Saptadhara or seven streams believed to find their source behind the Saptkarni Caves up in the hills. The hottest of the springs is the Brahmakund with a temperature of 45°C.

On the Griddhakuta or Vultures Peak, the Buddha set in motion his second Wheel of Law and for three months every year during the rainy season preached his disciples about it. The Buddha Sangh of Japan has constructed a massive modern stupa, the Shanti (peace) stupa at the top of the hill. One can climb up to the top along a bridle path but the aerial chairlift is far more exciting.

Ajatshatru's Fort, built in sixth century BC, is situated around six km from the Rajgir railway station. The fort was. Bimbisara's jail is also situated here where, according to the legends, he was imprisoned by Ajatshatru.

Above the hot springs on the Vaibhava Hill is a rectangular stone sculpted by the forces of nature, which appears to have been used as a watchtower. It later become the resort of hermits and is popularly known as Jarasandha Ki Baithak after the name of the King Jarasandha, a contemporary of Lord Krishna described in the epic Mahabharta.

The Swarna Gufa is around six km from the railway station. It is believed that there is a treasure house of gold still hidden here. It is said that if one can decipher the inscription engraved here, the doors to the golden vaults would open.

Places Around Rajgir

Bodh Gaya, the place where Buddha got enlightenment is around 34 km off Rajgir and connected through a good network of roads. Major tourist attractions here are the Maha Bodhi Temple, the place where under a pipal tree, Buddha got his enlightenment, and monasteries built by different Buddhist countries.

Twelve kilometers from Rajgir is Nalanda, which was a resort for saints and ascetics. It was made into a university in fifth century AD and remained the greatest seat of learning for over 700 years.

Pawapuri is situated some 35 km from Rajgir and believed to be the place where Lord Mahavira died.

Patna, the capital of Bihar and a great historical city is situated around 60 km northeast of Rajgir.

How To Reach

By Air - The nearest airport for Rajgir is Patna. There are regular flights for Delhi, Calcutta, Varanasi, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Katmandu from this airport. The nearest international airport is Calcutta.

By Rail - Rajgir...

A holy kund for Hindus, it is the main attraction in Rajgir. There are 20+ kunds(water-pool) around this place. Saraswati kund has cold water, hence ideal for dip in scorching summers. It is the first kund located downhill.

The other kunds have hot water, and ideal for winter swims. They are located uphill. The water in hot water kunds are pure and the locals carry it for drinking.

The cold water kund on the other hand has piped water. It has 6 source pipes on its two sides. A sink pipe cleans the pool water. So, water in the kund is fresh and on most occasions clear. Except this time (more on this later).

There are changing rooms for Male and Female.

Charge for entry: Rs 60 per person. (as on April 2022)

Recently, a board mentioning No Entry for other religions was placed at the entry.

This being a holy kund is supposed to be maintained in good condition. It is a property of Bihar Government. However, its maintenance has been given on contract basis to a private firm/person recently.

This was my second visit (first in 2013) to the kund and we found it in an apathetic state this time. The water was dirty and smelling. Cleaning persons informed us that its has at least been 4 days since water was last drained out. Since it is standing water (not flowing), it was a pool of bacteria. (Check attached photos and videos)

We tried reaching out to the new contracting firm, however its whereabouts was kept a secret.

We were told that the Junglee Restaurant adjacent to the Kund is looking after the Kund. The restaurant owner passed on the buck to another person Sanjeev Kumar. Mr.Sanjeev Kumar tried offering us a refund of entry ticket to pacify us. Our faith is not for sale, so we never accepted the 'refund'. The private contracting firm details was never disclosed.

It was a disappointment and cause for worry. The staff is rude and uncooperative. At this state, another religiously important place will lose its holiness and vanish...

Rajgir is a historic city located in the Nalanda district of Bihar, India. It holds immense significance in Buddhism and Jainism and is known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. The term "khund" doesn't have a widely recognized meaning in the context of Rajgir. If you're referring to a specific place or aspect of Rajgir, please provide more details, and I'll be happy to provide a more detailed description. A hot water fall, also known as a hot spring waterfall, is a natural phenomenon where hot water flows down a cascade or waterfall, creating a visually stunning and geothermally heated aquatic environment. These unique attractions are often found in regions with volcanic or geothermal activity, where underground geothermal reservoirs heat the groundwater.

The hot water in these falls can vary in temperature, ranging from pleasantly warm to scalding hot, depending on the specific geological conditions of the area. As the hot water cascades down the rocks, it often creates a picturesque scene, especially when surrounded by lush vegetation and striking landscapes.

One well-known example of a hot water fall is the "Banjaran Hot Springs Retreat" in Malaysia, which features tiered hot spring pools that flow into each other, forming a natural waterfall effect. Visitors can soak in the therapeutic warm waters while enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

Hot water falls have been appreciated for their potential health benefits, as the warm water is believed to have therapeutic properties and is sometimes rich in minerals. People visit these locations not only for relaxation but also for their perceived healing effects on various ailments.

In summary, a hot water fall is a captivating natural feature where geothermally heated water flows down a waterfall, creating a visually appealing and potentially therapeutic experience...