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39-662: Rajgir , old name Rajagriha , meaning "The City of Kings," is an ancient city and university town in the district of Nalanda in Bihar , India . It was the capital of the Haryanka dynasty , the Pradyota dynasty , the Brihadratha dynasty and the Mauryan Empire , as well as the dwelling ground of historical figures such as Buddha , Mahavira and Bimbisara . Due to its religious significance,

78-411: A low cost of living , and often a pedestrian - or public transit -friendly development pattern. Several development companies now specialize in constructing retirement communities in college towns. In some cases the communities have developed formal relationships with the local institution. The demand for housing from students, faculty, staff, and retirees kept college town home prices stable during

117-451: A modern university that is based on the famous university and Buddhist monastery of ancient India, has been established with its campus in Rajgir. It began its first academic session on 1 September 2014. Japanese monk Nichidatsu Fujii , the founder of Nipponzan Myohoji order of Buddhism established a white stupa atop Ratnagiri hills in Rajgir, which was inaugurated on 25 October 1969. This stupa

156-917: A sacred place for Hindus where water from seven different springs ( Saptarshi ) merge and is notable for its healing effects. There is a Japanese temple beside the Venu Vana, an artificial forest with historical associations to Buddha and the kings of the region. Other places of interest include the Rajgir Heritage Museum, the Sariputta Stupa, Ghora Katora Lake , and the Rajgir glass bridge. The Son Bhandar caves are situated in Rajgir. The caves are concerned with Jainism and are considered to belong to 3–4 century AD. After Cunningham's inspection, several scholars visited this place and some had opinions to concern with Buddhism. After some time all Buddhism connections were refused because of an inscription found on

195-491: A term with somewhat derogatory connotations. While noise, traffic, and other quality of life issues have not been resolved, some advocates of New Urbanism have led the development of neighborhoods in college towns by specifically capitalizing on their proximity to university life. For instance, some universities have developed properties to allow faculty and staff members to walk to work, reducing demand for limited on-campus parking; Duke University 's Trinity Heights development

234-412: A total population of 41,587, of which 21,869 were males and 19,718 were females. The population within the age group of 0 to 6 years was 6,922. The total number of literates in Rajgir was 24,121, which constituted 58.0% of the population with male literacy of 65.4% and female literacy of 49.8%. The effective literacy rate of the 7+ population of Rajgir was 69.6%, of which the male literacy rate was 78.1% and

273-579: A university expands its facilities, the potential loss of property tax revenue is thus a concern, in addition to local desire to preserve open space or historic neighborhoods. As a result, local people may resent the university and its students. The students, in turn, may criticize the local residents' taking jobs at the university provided by student tuition and fees, and accepting the tax revenues (e.g. local sales tax, property tax on rented properties) that students generate, but resenting students' lifestyles. Some students refer to other inhabitants as "townies",

312-648: Is a key example. In many cases, developers have built communities where access to the university (even if not directly adjacent) is promoted as an advantage. Student housing is also an important component of college towns. In the United States most state universities have 50 percent or more of their enrolled students living off-campus. This trend, which began in the 1960s, originally meant the conversion of near campus single-family homes to student housing, creating " student ghettos ." Colleges and other developers began building purpose-built off-campus student housing areas in

351-1040: Is a sacred site situated in Rajgir. Renowned for its thermal spring and the tomb of Makhdoom Syed Ghulam Ali, as well as the prayer space of Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri , it holds significance for pilgrims and visitors alike. The thermal spring, dating back approximately 800 years, attracts numerous visitors who utilise it for ablution (Wudu) and bathing purposes. The Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar also took bath here in his childhood. Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation provides travel facility from state capital Patna to visit Bodh circuit ( Bodhgaya , Rajgir, Nalanda , Vaishali , Kesaria , Lumbini , Kushinagar , Sarnath ), Jain Circuit (Rajgir, Pawapuri ) and Sikh Circuit in Bihar. Located in Patna division, this Nagar Panchayat type of municipal council mainly depends upon tourism and

390-491: Is also present here along with many other Jain temples. This temple is also a place for four Kalyanakas of Bhagwan Munisuvratnath. It is also mentioned in Jain and Buddhist scriptures, which give a series of place-names, but without geographical context. The attempt to locate these places is based largely on reference to them and to other locations in the works of Chinese Buddhist pilgrims, particularly Faxian and Xuanzang . It

429-400: Is called Vishwa Shanti Stupa and from then onwards the anniversary of its establishment is celebrated every year. This event is attended by Budhhist monks and devotees from various south-east Asian countries and the ministers and officials of Government of Bihar. University town In Europe , a university town is generally characterised by having an ancient university . The economy of

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468-571: Is on the basis of Xuanzang in particular that the site is divided into Old and New Rajgir. The former lies within a valley and is surrounded by low-lying hills, Rajgir Hills . It is defined by an earthen embankment (the Inner Fortification), with which is associated the Outer Fortification, a complex of cyclopean walls that runs (with large breaks) along the crest of the hills. New Rajgir is defined by another, larger, embankment outside

507-1098: Is situated in Nalanda Forest Division covering an area of 35.84 km under the Nalanda district administration. This wildlife sanctuary, notified in 1978, represents a remnant patch of forests nestled in the Rajgir hills within the south Gangetic Plain . It is home to a number of wild animals including: mammals – blue bull ( Boselaphus tragocamelus ), chital or spotted deer ( Axis axis ), Indian crested porcupine ( Hystrix indica ), small Indian civet ( Viverricula indica ), jungle cat ( Felis chaus ); birds – painted spurfowl ( Galloperdix lunulata ), Eurasian thick knee ( Burhinus oedicnemus ), painted sandgrouse ( Pterocles indicus ); reptiles and amphibians – Bengal monitor ( Varanus bengalensis ), Indian bullfrog ( Hoplobatrachus tigerinus ), Jerdon's bullfrog ( Hoplobatrachus crassus ), ornate narrow-mouthed frog ( Microhyla ornata ), and Indian tree frog ( Polypedates maculatus ). According to 2011 Indian Census , Rajgir had

546-613: Is supplemented by agriculture. A number of resorts and hotels are located in Rajgir to serve the tourists. In addition, Rajgir is located near the tourist spots like Nalanda, Pawapuri and Kundalpur . Rajgir ranks top in Bihar, in reference to revenue collected by tourism. Rajgir International Cricket Stadium is a proposed cricket stadium in the city. In 2013, it was announced by the Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar that an international cricket stadium will be constructed at Rajgir in Bihar's Nalanda district. Nalanda University ,

585-519: The Mahabharata , through its king Jarasandha . The town's date of origin is unknown, although ceramics dating to about 1000 BC have been found in the city. The 2,500-year-old cyclopean wall is also located in the region. The ancient Nalanda university was located in the vicinity of Rajgir, and the contemporary Nalanda University named after it was founded in 2010 nearby. The town is also famed for its natural springs and towering hills that dominate

624-577: The Pandava brothers and their allies Krishna . Mahabharata recounts a wrestling match between Bhima (one of the Pandavas) and Jarasandha, the then king of Magadha. Jarasandha was invincible as his body could rejoin any dismembered limbs. According to the legend, Bhima split Jarasandha into two and threw the two halves facing opposite to each other so that they could not join. There is a famous Jarasandha's Akhara (the place where martial arts are practised). Rajgir

663-413: The cost of living above that of the region. It is common for university employees to commute from surrounding areas, finding the cost of living in town too expensive. "Studentification", in which a growing student population move in large numbers to traditionally non-student neighborhoods, may be perceived as a form of invasion or gentrification . It may be due to university enrollment expanding beyond

702-503: The housing market downturn that began in 2005 . Saptaparni Cave Saptparni Cave , also referred to as Sapta parni guha (Saraiki) or sattapaṇṇi guhā (Pali), literally Seven-leaves-cave (cognate with sapta, sept), is a Buddhist cave site about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) southwest from Rajgir , Bihar , India. It is embedded in a hill. The Saptaparni Cave is important in the Buddhist tradition, because many believe it to be

741-527: The 1970s in more college towns. Beginning around 2000 in the United States, nationwide real estate investment trusts (REIT) and publicly traded corporations began developing student housing complexes. Another notable development since the 1990s is the surge in popularity of retirees relocating to college towns. Retirees are attracted to these locations because of cultural and educational opportunities, college athletic events, good medical facilities (often at teaching hospitals affiliated with medical schools ),

780-550: The 24th Tirthankara spent fourteen years of his life at Rajgir and Nalanda, spending Chaturmas (i.e. 4 months of the rainy season) at a single place in Rajgir (Rajgruhi) and the rest in the places in the vicinity. It was the capital of one of his Shravaks (follower) King Shrenik . Thus Rajgir is also of religious importance to Jains. The twentieth Jain Tirthankara, Munisuvrata is supposed to have been born here. An ancient temple (about 1200 years old) dedicated to Munisuvrat Bhagwan

819-561: The 6th and 5th century BC, and the Buddha was offered a forest monastery here by the king Bimbisara . As such, the city of Rajgir became one of the Buddha's most important preaching locations. The main tourist attractions include the ancient city walls from Ajatashatru 's period, Bimbisar 's Jail, Jarasandh 's Akhara, Gridhra-kuta, ('Hill of the Vultures') , Son Bhandar Caves and the Jain temples on

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858-616: The Buddha never wrote down his teachings. After the meeting in Saptaparni Cave, Ananda created an oral tradition of Buddha's teaching from his memory, prefacing it with " Thus have I heard on one occasion ". Upali is credited with reciting the Vinaya (discipline), or "rules for the Bhikshus ". This tradition is found in Vinaya Pitaka II.284 through II.287 and Digha Nikaya II.154. In

897-598: The Vultures') .It was also the relaxing place of him in Venuban which is a government owned tourist place now. He also delivered some of his famous sermons and initiated king Bimbisara of Magadha and others to Buddhism. It was here that Budhha delivered his famous Atanatiya Sutra . On one of the hills is the Saptaparni Cave where the First Buddhist Council was held under the leadership of Maha Kassapa . Mahavira ,

936-412: The above-mentioned caves. These caves should be related to Digambar sect of Jainism as Xuanzang wrote in his book about Vaibhar Hill of Rajgir that the place was occupied by Digambar Jain monks for meditation purposes. After some centuries these caves were converted by Hindus as Vishnu sculpture was also found from the mound of a cave. Makhdum Kund , also recognised as Dargah-e-Makhdoomiya

975-508: The absence of a system for payments in lieu of taxes , the university population will disproportionately burden parts of the local public infrastructure, such as roads or law enforcement. Some analysts argue that students relieve the burden on other parts of the local public infrastructure, such as local primary and secondary schools, by far the most costly line item in most North American city and town budgets, by providing tax revenues through local sales tax and property tax paid by landlords. When

1014-497: The capacity of on-campus housing, inadequate zoning enforcement, and/or student culture. Neighborhood associations may work to limit conversion of family homes to student rentals, while some local residents may oppose the construction of large on-campus dormitories or expansion of fraternity and sorority houses, forcing a growing enrollment to seek housing in town. In the US, educational institutions are often exempted from local taxes, so in

1053-469: The capital to Pataliputra (modern Patna ). Shishunaga (413-395 BC) founded Shishunaga dynasty in 413 BC with Rajgir as its initial capital before it was moved to Pataliputra. It is associated with the founders of both the religions: Jainism and Buddhism , associated with both the historical Arihant Shraman Bhagawan Mahavira and Buddha . It was here that Gautama Buddha spent several months meditating, and preaching at Gridhra-kuta, ('Hill of

1092-444: The case of a company town , the large and transient university population may come into conflict with other townspeople. Students may come from outside the area, and perhaps subscribe to a different—sometimes radically different—culture. Most students are young people, whose living habits may be different from older people. Economically, the high spending power of the university and of its students in aggregate may inflate

1131-708: The centuries. As an example of this, Paris also illustrates the course of educational history with the Sorbonne and the Grande école . Besides a highly educated and largely transient population, a stereotypical college town often has many people in non-traditional lifestyles and subcultures and with a high tolerance for unconventionality in general, and has a very active musical or cultural scene. Many have become centres of technological research and innovative startups . Universities with start-up centers can be large cities like Munich , but also small cities like Trieste . Although

1170-504: The city holds a place of prominence in Hindu , Buddhist and Jain scriptures. As of 2011, the population of the town was reported to be 41,000 while the population in the community development block was about 88,500. Rajgir was the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Magadha , a state that would eventually evolve into the Mauryan Empire . It finds mention in India's renowned literary epic,

1209-571: The city is closely related with the university activity and highly supported by the entire university structure, which may include university hospitals and clinics, printing houses, libraries, laboratories, business incubators, student rooms, dining halls, students' unions, student societies, and academic festivities. Moreover, the history of the city is often intertwined with that of the university. Many European university towns have not merely been important places of science and education, but also centres of political, cultural and social influence throughout

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1248-564: The concept of a university town has developed since the European Middle Ages, equivalents already existed in earlier times and in non-European cultures. For example, in later Classical times the city of Athens – no longer having any political or military power, but renowned as the greatest center of learning in the Roman Empire – had many of the characteristics of a university town, and is sometimes called such by modern scholars. As in

1287-575: The female literacy rate was 60.1%. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes population was 11,724 and 42 respectively. Rajgir had 7030 households in 2011. The town is also notable in Jainism and Buddhism . It was the birthplace of the 20th Jain Tirthankar Munisuvrata , and is closely associated with the Mahavira and Gautama Buddha . Both Mahavira and Buddha taught their beliefs in Rajgir during

1326-458: The five peaks. Another major attraction is the peace pagoda , Vishwa Shanti Stupa , built-in 1969, one of the 80 peace pagodas in the world, to spread the message of peace and non-violence. It is the oldest peace pagoda in India. The rope-way that leads to it is another attraction, which was gifted by Japanese spiritual leader Fuji Guruji in the 1960s. A new rope way has been planned. Rajgir has hot water springs, locally known as Brahmakund ,

1365-446: The landscape. The name Rajgir ( Sanskrit Rājagṛha , Pali : Rajagaha ), literally meaning "royal mountain" comes from the historic Rājagṛiha, meaning "house of the king" or "royal house". It has also historically been known as Vasumati, Brahdrathapura, Grivraja/Girivraja and Kusagrapura. Girivraja means an enclosure of hills. The epic Mahabharata calls it Girivraja and recounts the story of its king, Jarasandha, and his battle with

1404-420: The northern entrance of the valley and next to the modern town. The modern town is situated close to the Rajgir hills while the valley is surrounded by seven hills: Vaibhara, Ratna, Saila, Sona, Udaya, Chhatha, and Vipula. River Panchane flows through the outskirts of the town. The landscape of Rajgir or Pant WLS is uneven terrain enclosed by five hills; Ratnagiri, Vipulgiri, Vaibhagiri, Songiri and Udaygiri. It

1443-418: The site in which Buddha spent some time before his death, and where the first Buddhist council was held after Buddha died ( paranirvana ). It is here that a council of few hundred monks decided to appoint Ananda , Buddha's cousin, and Upali , who had accompanied the Buddha when he gave sermons in north India, to compose Buddha's teachings for the future generations. This was of special importance because

1482-452: The southern wall of a cave. According to this inscription these caves were built by inspiration of a Jain Muni Vair for Jain ascetics. Sculptures of Teerthankaras were also carved in these caves. From an architectural aspect; these caves are analogous to Nagarjuni cave and Barabar Caves caves of Mauryan era. Therefore, it can be concluded that construction time should not differ much from

1521-531: Was the capital of Haryanka dynasty kings Bimbisara (558–491 BC) and Ajatashatru (492–460 BC). Ajatashatru kept his father Bimbisara in captivity here. The sources do not agree on which of the Buddha 's royal contemporaries, Bimbisara and Ajatashatru , was responsible for its construction. It was the ancient capital city of the Magadha kings until the 5th century BC when Udayin (460–440 BC), son of Ajatashatru, moved

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