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 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.
The Lichchhavis came a long way to bid him farewell on his way to
Kushinagara and finally, they were stopped by a river created by Buddha.
He once again paused to have a last of his much loved city. As a piety
for Vaishali, he had already given his alms bowl which remained here for
long time.
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.
Vaishali museum houses some of the archaeological remains discovered
here. Facing the museum is the Abhishek Pushkarni which was holy to
Lichchhavis. On one side of the lake is newly built Vishwa Shanti Stupa,
a sixth in the series to be erected in India. Close to the museum is the
shaded stupa which is supposed to have housed the casket relic with the
ashes of Buddha.
Archaeologists have uncovered a good deal of Vaishali. It begins with a
huge mound which is associated with the ancient Parliament referred to
Raja Vaihala Ka Garh. Bawan Pokhar temple houses a rich collection of
black basalt images dating back to the Gupta and Pala period. Another
black basalt, four headed Shivling (Choumukhi Mahadeva) was discovered
when a reservoir was being dug. Behind the bawan pokhar temple is a Jain
temple famous for its image of the Trithankar. A little distance from
these temples lies the Lotus Tank which used to be a picnic spot of the
Lichchhavis.
Further north at Lauria Areraj, 31 Kms from Motihari, lies one of the
Ashokan Columns with six of his edicts. The column is devoid of its
capital. Another Ashokan column along with the lion capital can be
visited at Nandangarh, 23 kms from Bettiah. These pillars possibly mark
the course of the ancient Royal highway from Patliputra to Nepal valley.
Few kilometers from the monolith at Nandangarh is the mighty brick stupa
which is believed to have stored the casket relic containing the ashes
of Buddha. At Nandangarh one can also see a dozen vedic mounds that
contain the remains of ruling clans of pre-Buddhists times.
General Information
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