Nalanda Travel City Guide
Though
the Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime, this famous
centre of Buddhist learning shot to fame much later, during 5th-12th
centuries. The Chinese scholar and traveller Hiuen Tsang stayed here in
the 7th century, and has left an elaborate description of the excellence,
and purity of monastic life practised here. About 2,000 teachers and
10,000 students from all over the Buddhist world, lived and studied in
this international university.
The
Gupta kings patronised these monasteries, built in old Kushan
architectural style, in a row of cells around a courtyard. Kings Ashoka
and Harshavardhana were some of its most famous patrons, who built
impressive temples and monasteries. Recent excavations have unearthed
elaborate structures. An international centre for Buddhist Studies was
established in 1951. The Nalanda Museum and the Nava Nalanda Mahavihar are
definitely worth a visit.
Lauria
Areraj is a 11.5 m high Ashokan column, erected in 249 BC. The polished
sandstone pillar has six edicts on it. Lauria Nandangarh is the site of
the famous Lion pillar, erected by king Ashoka. The 8.5 m polished
sandstone column also has an edict engraved on it. The Nandangarh stupa,
nearby, is believed to house the ashes of the Buddha.
How to
Get There:
Patna, 90 km away is the nearest airport. Train
services are also available to Nalanda.
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Offers on Hotels & Resort Booking in NalandaTravel
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