Kolhua Vaishali
History of Vaishali
Vaishali is believed to be the first republic in the world; it has taken its name from King Vishal of the Mahabharat age. He is said to have constructed a great fort here, which is now in ruins. Vaishali is a great Buddhist pilgrimage and also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. It is said that the Buddha visited this place thrice and spent quite a long time here. The Buddha also delivered his last sermon at Vaishali and announced his Nirvana here. After his death, Vaishali also held the second Buddhist Council.
The great Lichchavi clan ruled Vaishali in the sixth century BC, and the empire extended up to the hills of Nepal. The Lichchavi state is considered to be the first republican state of Asia. According to the Jataka stories, (Buddhist story books giving the account of different births of the Buddha), Vaishali was ruled by some 7707 kings of the Lichchavi clan. Ajatshatru, the great Magadh King, annexed Vaishali in the fifth century BC and after that Vaishali gradually lost its glory and power.
Vaishali is also famous as the land of Ambapali (Amrapali), the great Indian dancer who is related to many folktales. Ambapali (Amrapali) was a beautiful and talented courtesan, who later took sanyas to follow the path of the Buddha.
Culture & Heritage
Vaishali today is a small village surrounded by banana and
mango groves as well as rice fields. But excavations in the area have brought
to light an impressive historical past. The epic Ramayana tells the story of
the heroic King Vishal who ruled here. Historians maintain that one of the
world’s first democratic republics with an elected assembly of representatives
flourished here in the 6th century B.C. in the time of the Vajjis and the
Lichchavis. And while Pataliputra, capital of the Mauryas and the Guptas, held
political sway over the Gangetic plain, Vaishali was the center for trade and
industry.
Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and at Kolhua, close
by, preached his last sermon. To commemorate the event, Emperor Ashoka, in the
third century B.C. erected one of his famous lion pillars here. A hundred years
after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha – Vaishali hosted the second great
Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event. Jainism,
too, has its origins in Vaishali, for in 527 B.C., Lord Mahavir was born on the
outskirts of the city, and lived in Vaishali till he was 22. Vaishali is then
twice blessed and remains an important pilgrim center for both Buddhists and
Jains, attracting also historians foraging for the past.
On the outskirts of Vaishali stood the grand double storied
Buddhist Monastery. Buddha often discoursed here. He extended spiritual
enfranchisement to women by admitting them to the Holy Order which was founded
here. Legend has it that on one of his visits, several monkeys dug up a tank
for his comfortable stay and offered him a bowl of honey. This is regarded as
one of the great incidents in the legends of Buddha, who announced his
approaching Nirvana and preached his last sermon here.
What to See in Vaishali | Things to do in Vaishali
Ruins of Vaishali | Ruins of World’s first republic
Vaishali Museum
Vishva Shanti Stupa
Just next to Vishwa Shanti Stupa is Abhishek Pushkarni known
as coronation tank and the sacred waters of this tank were used for anointing
the elected representatives before their pledge, at the time of Lichchavis. And
as you amble around you will find a museum on the north bank which houses the
artifacts found during excavation, dividing them into four galleries which
houses terracotta items of Human figures, terracotta items of animal figures
with wheels, cast coins, antles, bones and iron and copper commodities and
earthen wares
Kolhua
Kolhua
Must visit in Kolhua, The Ashoka Pillar, Ananda Stupa and
Ram Kund
A life size-pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua
commemorates Buddha’s last sermon and announcement of his approaching nirvana.
The lion faces north, the direction Buddha took on his last voyage. Adjacent to
this is the tank associated with the monkeys offering honey. Nearby are the
skeletal remains of a monastery where Buddha resided and a votive stupas dot
the region.
The Lion pillar – attributed to Emperor Ashoka is still intact and looks magnificent next to a large Stupa built by Ashoka himself. During excavation, a relic chamber was discovered an in contained a highly polished stone relic casket.
This is one of the must to see tourist places in Bihar. This
is close to Patna so person traveling Patna would be so easier to make trip to
Vaishali.
How to reach Vaishali
One can easily reach Vaishali by Taxi and it’s a Day Trip
from Patna or Muzaffarpur. Vaishali is 63 Km from Patna, 36 Km from Muzaffarpur
and 37 Km from Hajipur.
Where to stay in Vaishali
There are not many hotels in Vaishali, only one hotel is there. It’s only a day trip from Patna or Muzaffarpur where one can find good hotel to stay. It’s advisable to night stay in Patna where one can utilize their time to see more places in Patna.
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