Vaishali (ancient city)

Historical city in Bihar, India

Vaishali

The Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa, The Buddha's Relic Stupa of Vaishali, The Pillars of Ashoka

Region| India
Coordinates| 25°59′N 85°08′E﻿ / ﻿25.99°N 85.13°E﻿ / 25.99; 85.13
Type| Settlement
History
Founded| c. 5th century BCE
Abandoned| c. 600 CE[1]
Cultures| Licchavis of Vaishali
Site notes
Condition| In ruins
Pilgrimage to

Buddha's Holy Sites

The Four Main Sites

* Bodh Gaya
* Kushinagar
* Lumbini
* Sarnath

Four Additional Sites

* Rajgir
* Sankissa
* Shravasti
* Vaishali

Other Sites

* Ajanta
* Amaravati
* Barabar Caves
* Bharhut
* Chandavaram
* Devdaha
* Ellora Caves
* Kapilavastu
* Kesaria Stupa
* Kosambi
* Lalitgiri
* Mathura
* Nalanda
* Nasik
* Pataliputra
* Pāvā
* Piprahwa
* Pushpagiri
* Ramagrama stupa
* Ratnagiri
* Sanchi
* Udayagiri
* Tilaurakot
* Varanasi
* Vikramashila

* v
* t
* e

Vaishali, Vesali or Vaiśālī was an ancient city located north of Patna in present-day Bihar, India. It is now a Buddhist pilgrimage site that also contains two important stupas of the Buddha,[2][3] the Relic Stupa of Vaishali and the Stupa of Complete Victory. As an archaeological site it forms part of the Vaishali District in Tirhut Division.[4]

It was the capital city of the Vajjika League of Vrijji mahajanapada, considered one of the first examples of a republic that dates from c.6th century BCE. Gautama Buddha preached his last sermon before his mahaparinirvana in c. 544 BCE, and Vaishali is also home to two important stupas directly related to the Buddha, the Relic Stupa of Vaishali, which is said to contain the ashes of the Buddha,[3][5] and the Stupa of Complete Victory that represents the prolongation of the Buddha's life by three months when he was eighty years old.[2]

In 383 BCE the Second Buddhist council was convened here by King Kalasoka, making Vaisali an even more important place to both Jains and Buddhists.[6][7] It also contains one of the best-preserved of the Pillars of Ashoka from the 3rd century BCE, topped by a single Asiatic lion.

The city finds mention in the travel accounts of Chinese explorers, Faxian (4th century CE) and Xuanzang (7th century CE), which were later used in 1861 by British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham to first identify Vaiśālī with the present village of Basarh in the Vaishali District of Bihar.[8][9]

## Etymology

[edit]

Vaishali derives its name from King Vishal of the Mahabharata age.[10]

Stupa at vaishali

## History

[edit]

The Vajji or Vrijji Mahajanapada, 600 BCE. Abhishek Pushkarini, the coronation tank, near Buddha Relic Stupa, Vaishali

Even before the advent of Buddhism and Jainism, Vaiśālī was the capital of the republican Licchavi state.[11][12] In that period, Vaiśālī was an ancient metropolis and the capital city of the republic of the Vaiśālī state, which covered most of the Himalayan Gangetic region of present-day Bihar state, India. However, very little is known about the early history of Vaiśālī. The Vishnu Purana records 34 kings of Vaiśālī, the first being Nabhaga, who is believed to have abdicated his throne over a matter of human rights and believed to have declared: "I am now a free tiller of the soil, king over my acre." The last among the 34 was Sumati, who is considered a contemporary of Dasaratha, father of the Hindu god, Lord Rama.

Vaiśālī is also renowned as the land of Amrapali, the great Indian courtesan, who appears in many folktales, as well as in Buddhist literature. Amrapali became a disciple of Buddha. Manudev was a famous king of the illustrious Lichchavi clan of the confederacy, who desired to possess Amrapali after he saw her dance performance in Vaishali.[13]

A kilometer away is Abhishek Pushkarini, the coronation tank. The sacred waters of the tank anointed the elected representatives of Vaiśālī. Next to it stands the Japanese temple and the Vishwa Shanti Stupa (World Peace Pagoda) built by the Nipponzan Myohoji sect of Japan. A small part of the Buddha's relics found in Vaiśālī have been enshrined in the foundation and in the chhatra of the Stupa.[citation needed]

Near the coronation tank is Stupa 1 or the Relic Stupa. Here the Lichchavis reverentially encased one of the eight portions of the Master's relics, which they received after the Mahaparinirvana. After his last discourse the Awakened One set out for Kushinagar, but the Licchavis kept following him. Buddha gave them his alms bowl but they still refused to return. The Master created an illusion of a river in spate which compelled them to go back. This site can be identified with Deora in modern Kesariya village, where Ashoka later built a stupa. Ānanda, the personal attendant of the Buddha, attained Nirvana in the midst of the Ganges outside Vaiśālī.[citation needed]

By the time Xuanzang visited Vaiśālī in the early 7th century, it was on the decline: he wrote of it that "the capital is ruined" and "it may be called a village or town" (as opposed to a city).[14]: 150

## Visits of the Buddha to Vaiśālī

[edit]

A Buddhist shrine amidst the Vihara, Vaiśālī

Vaishali is well known for its close association with the Buddha. After leaving Kapilavastu for renunciation, Prince Siddhartha came to Vaishali first and undertook his initial spiritual training from Uddaka Rāmaputta (Rāmaputra Udraka) and Āḷāra Kālāma. After the Enlightenment the Buddha frequently visited Vaishali. He organized the sangha on the pattern of Vaishalian democracy. It was here that he first allowed females to join the sangha, initiating his maternal aunt Mahaprajapati Gautami into the order. His last Varshavasa (rainy season resort) was here and he announced his approaching Mahaparinirvana (the final departure from the world) just three months in advance. Before leaving for Kusinagara, where he died, he left his alms-bowl (Bhiksha-Patra) here with the people of Vaishali.[15]

## Jainism at Vaishali

[edit]

Prince Vardhaman (Lord Mahavira) used this seal after the Judgement

The Śvetāmbaras state that the final Tirthankara, Lord Mahavira, was born and raised in Kshatriyakund district, Vaiśālī to King Siddhartha. and Queen Trishala. According to Jain text Uttarapurāṇa, King Chetaka ruled as a Republican President in Vaishali and was a famous and complaisant king. He is mentioned as a staunch follower of Jainism.[16] According to the text, Chetaka had ten sons and seven daughters. His sister Priyakarini (also known as Trishala) was married to Siddhartha.[16] His daughter Chellana married Shrenik (also known as Bimbisara).[17] As per Indologist Hermann Jacobi, Vardhaman Mahavira's mother Trishala was sister of King Chetaka.[18] Vaiśālī was also the residence of Kandaramasuka and Pātikaputta.

## Notable Buddhist sites in Vaishali

[edit]

Kutagarasala Vihara | Ānanda Stupa, with an Asokan pillar at Kolhua, Vaiśālī | Buddha's ashes Stupa built by the Licchavis, Vaiśālī

|
|

### Relic stupa

[edit]

Near the coronation tank is Stupa 1 or the Relic Stupa. Here the Licchavis reverentially encased one of the eight portions of the Master's relics, which they received after the Mahaparinirvana. After his last discourse the Buddha set out for Kushinagar, but the Licchavis kept following him. The Buddha gave them his alms bowl but they still refused to return. He then created an illusion of a river in spate which compelled them to go back. This site can be identified with Deora in modern Kesariya village, where Ashoka later built a stupa.[19]

As per recent research, the relic stupa is potentially one of the earliest archaeologically known stupas.[20]

### Kutagarasala Vihara

[edit]

Kutagarasala Vihara is the monastery where Buddha most frequently stayed while visiting Vaiśālī. It is located 3 kilometres from the relic Stupa, and on its ground can be found the Ānanda Stupa, with an Asokan pillar in very good condition (perhaps the only complete Asokan pillar left standing), and an ancient pond.[21]

### Coronation Tank

[edit]

A few hundred metres from the Relic Stupa is Abhishek Pushkarini, the coronation tank. The sacred waters of the tank anointed the elected representatives of Vaiśālī.

### World Peace Pagoda

[edit]

Visva Santi Stupa

Next to the coronation tank stands the Japanese temple and the Viśvā Śānti Stūpa (World Peace Pagoda) built by the Japanese Nichiren Buddhist sect Nipponzan-Myōhōji. A small part of the Buddha's relics found in Vaiśālī have been enshrined in the foundation and in the chhatra of the Stupa.

The Vaishali Museum was established in 1971 by the Archaeological Survey of India to preserve and display the antiquities found during the exploration of sites around ancient Vaishali.

## Recent development

[edit]

* In February 2019, Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar laid the foundation stone of Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa to house Buddha relics.[22]
* In September 2020, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vaishali Railway station. This rail line now connects the city with Hajipur and Patna.[23]

## Historical figures from Vaishali

[edit]

Vimalakirti, 8th century wall painting, Dunhuang

* Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. Born into a royal kshatriya family in what is now Vaishali district of Bihar. He abandoned all worldly possessions at the age of 30 and became an ascetic. He is considered a slightly older contemporary of the Buddha.[24]

* Chetaka, King and ruler of the Vajjika League which had its capital in Vaishali.[25]

* Vimalakirti, the central figure of the Vimalakirti Sutra and a lay practitioner of Buddhism.[26]

* Gayadhara, 11th century Buddhist master and scholar [27][28]

## See also

[edit]

* India portal

* Mithila (region)
* Pillars of Ashoka
* Chaumukhi Mahadev Mandir

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Prasad, Kameshwar (2015). The Glory that was Vaisali (From the Earliest Times to C. 600 C.E.). K. P. Jayaswal Research Institute, Patna. p. 52\. ISBN 9788189785062.
2. ^ a b Robert Beer, The Encyclopaedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs. Boston: Shambhala, 1991.
3. ^ a b Fogelin, Lars (2015). An Archaeological History of Indian Buddhism. Oxford University Press. p. 85\. ISBN 9780199948239.
4. ^ "Tirhut Division". tirhut-muzaffarpur.bih.nic.in. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
5. ^ Lahiri, Nayanjot (2015). Ashoka in Ancient India. Harvard University Press. pp. 246–247\. ISBN 9780674057777.
6. ^ Hoiberg, Dale; Indu Ramchandani (2000). Students' Britannica India, Volumes 1-5. Popular Prakashan. p. 208\. ISBN 0-85229-760-2. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
7. ^ Kulke, Hermann; Dietmar Rothermund (2004). A history of India. Routledge. p. 57\. ISBN 0-415-32919-1. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
8. ^ Janice Leoshko (2017). Sacred Traces: British Explorations of Buddhism in South Asia. Taylor & Francis. p. 74\. ISBN 978-1-351-55030-7. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
9. ^ Dilip Kumar (1986). Archaeology of Vaishali. Ramanand Vidya Bhawan. p. 36\. ISBN 9788185205083. OCLC 18520132. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
10. ^ "Vaishali". tourism.bihar.gov.in. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
11. ^ "BSTDC". BSTDC. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
12. ^ Vaishali Archived 13 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine – Encyclopædia Britannica
13. ^ "Amrapali was more than a luscious courtesan - Times of India". The Times of India. 31 January 2013. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
14. ^ Chattopadhyaya, Brajadulal (1994). The Making of Early Medieval India (PDF). New Delhi: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-564076-4. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
15. ^ Brown, Robert (2009). "Telling the Story in Art of the Monkey's Gift of Honey to the Buddha". Bulletin of the Asia Institute. 23: 43–52\. JSTOR 24049422.
16. ^ a b Pannalal Jain 2015, p. 482. sfn error: no target: CITEREFPannalal_Jain2015 (help)
17. ^ Pannalal Jain 2015, p. 484. sfn error: no target: CITEREFPannalal_Jain2015 (help)
18. ^ Sunavala 1934, p. 52. sfn error: no target: CITEREFSunavala1934 (help)
19. ^ Roy, Sita Ran (1968). "A Note on Ancient Architecture of Vaisali". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 30: 49–52\. JSTOR 44141446.
20. ^ Fogelin, Lars (2015). An Archaeological History of Indian Buddhism. Oxford University Press. p. 85\. ISBN 9780199948239.
21. ^ Lars Fogelin (2015). An Archaeological History of Indian Buddhism. Oxford University Press. pp. 84–90\. ISBN 978-0-19-994823-9.
22. ^ Kumar, Madan (20 February 2019). "Nitish Kumar launches work for Buddha museum and stupa in Vaishali | Patna News - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
23. ^ PM inaugurates 12 railway projects in Bihar Archived 28 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine constructionweekonline.in
24. ^ Romesh Chunder Dutt (5 November 2013). A History of Civilisation in Ancient India: Based on Sanscrit Literature: Volume I. Routledge. pp. 382–383\. ISBN 978-1-136-38189-8.
25. ^ Upinder Singh (2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. Pearson Education India. pp. 260–263\. ISBN 978-81-317-1677-9.
26. ^ The Holy Teaching of Vimalakīrti: A Mahāyāna Scripture. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. 1991. p. 20\. ISBN 978-81-208-0874-4.
27. ^ Jayaswal, KP (1937). "Lost Sanskrit Works recovered from Tibet". Maha Bodhi and the United Buddhist World. 45: 89–101.
28. ^ Selected Essays of Rahul Sankrityayan. People's Publishing House. 1984. p. 9.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Kumar, Dilip (1986). Archaeology of Vaishali. Ramanand Vidya Bhawan.
* Singer, Noel.F. (2008). Vaishali and the Indianization of Arakan. APH Publishing. ISBN 978-81-313-0405-1.
* Mishra, Yogendra (1962). An Early History of Vaiśālī: From the Earliest Times to the Fall of the Vajjian Republic, Circa 484 B.C. Motilal Banarsidass.

## External links

[edit]

Vaishali (ancient city) at Wikipedia's sister projects

* Definitions from Wiktionary
* Media from Commons
* News from Wikinews
* Quotations from Wikiquote
* Texts from Wikisource
* Textbooks from Wikibooks
* Resources from Wikiversity
* Travel information from Wikivoyage
* Data from Wikidata

* Entry on Vesali in the Buddhist Dictionary of Pali Proper Names

* Description of Vaisali by the Chinese pilgrim monk Faxian (399-414 AC)

* Suttas spoken by Gautama Buddha concerning Vesali: (more)

1. Sunakkhatta Sutta - To Sunakkhatta
2. Maha-sihanada Sutta - The Great Discourse on the Lion's Roar''

* v
* t
* e

Vaishali district topics

History|

* Vaishali ancient city

Town|

* Hajipur
* Bidupur Bazar
* Mahnar Bazar
* Lalganj
* Bhagwanpur

National Highways (India)|

* NH-19
* NH-28
* NH-77
* NH-103

State highways|

* State Highway 74 (Bihar)
* State Highway 48 (Bihar)
* State Highway 49 (Bihar)

Railway station s|

* Hajipur Junction
* Bidupur railway station
* Desari railway station

River|

Ganga river Gandak river

Lok Sabha|

* Hajipur
* Vaishali

Assembly Constituency (Vidhan Sabha)|

* Hajipur
* Mahnar
* Mahua
* Raja pakar
* Lalganj
* Raghopur
* Vaishali
* Patepur

Blocks|

* Hajipur block
* Bidupur block
* Bhagwanpur block
* Chehrakala block
* Desri block
* Goraul block
* Jandaha block
* Lalganj block
* Mahnar block
* Mahua block
* Patedhi Belsar block
* Patepur block
* Raghopur
* Rajapakar block
* Sahdei Buzurg block
* Vaishali block

Education|

| Hajipur|

* Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology, Hajipur
* National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur
* Institute of Hotel Management, Hajipur
* D.C. College, Hajipur
* Jamuni Lal College
* Raj Narain College, Hajipur
* St. Paul's High School, Hajipur
* Vaishali Mahila College
* G.A. Inter School, Hajipur

|

Bhagwanpur|

* PSCET

Stadium|

| Hajipur|

Basawan Singh Stadium

|

Famous places|

| Hajipur|

* Budhi Mai
* Pataleshwar Mandir
* Ramchaura Mandir

|

Panchayat|

| Hajipur|

* Afajalpur Dhobghatti
* Andharwara
* ararah
* Bahuara (panchayat in Chhapra district)
* Bishunpur baladhari
* Bishunpur basant
* Chakunda urf milki
* Daulatpur Chandi
* Daulat pur dewaria
* Dayalpur panchayat
* Dighikala east
* Dighikala west
* Gadai Sarai
* Goshpur Ezra
* Hilalpur panchayat
* Ishmailpur
* Kashipur chakbibi
* Kernpura
* Manua panchayat
* Pahetiya
* Panapur langa
* Senduary
* Suhdulah pur satan
* Sultanpur panchayat
* Thathan Buzurg
* Vishunpur vasant urf shubhai

|

Other topics|

| Block wise village list|

* Hajipur block
* Bhagwanpur block
* Bidupur block
* Chehrakala block
* Desri block
* Goraul block
* Jandaha block
* Lalganj block
* Mahnar block
* Mahua block
* Patedhi Belsar block
* Patepur block
* Raghopur block
* Rajapakar block
* Sahdei Buzurg block
* Vaishali block

|

* v
* t
* e

Topics in Buddhism

* Outline
* Glossary
* Index

Foundations|

* Four Noble Truths
* Three Jewels
* Buddha
* Dharma
* Sangha
* Noble Eightfold Path
* Nirvana
* Middle Way

The Buddha|

* Tathāgata
* Birthday
* Four sights
* Eight Great Events
* Great Renunciation
* Physical characteristics
* Life of Buddha in art
* Footprint
* Relics
* Iconography in Laos and Thailand
* Films
* Miracles
* Family
* Suddhodāna (father)
* Māyā (mother)
* Mahapajapati Gotamī (aunt, adoptive mother)
* Yaśodharā (wife)
* Rāhula (son)
* Ānanda (cousin)
* Devadatta (cousin)
* Bodhi tree
* Places where the Buddha stayed
* Buddha in world religions

Bodhisattvas|

* Avalokiteśvara
* Guanyin
* Mañjuśrī
* Mahāsthāmaprāpta
* Ākāśagarbha
* Kṣitigarbha
* Samantabhadra
* Vajrapāṇi
* Skanda
* Tārā
* Metteyya/Maitreya

Disciples|

* Kaundinya
* Assaji
* Sāriputta
* Mahamoggallāna
* Ānanda
* Mahākassapa
* Aṅgulimāla
* Anuruddha
* Mahākaccana
* Nanda
* Subhūti
* Puṇṇa Mantānīputta
* Upāli
* Mahapajapati Gotamī
* Khema
* Uppalavanna
* Asita
* Channa
* Yasa

Key concepts|

* Avidyā (Ignorance)
* Bardo
* Bodhicitta
* Buddha-nature
* Dhamma theory
* Dharma
* Enlightenment
* Five hindrances
* Indriya
* Karma
* Kleshas
* Mental factors
* Mindstream
* Parinirvana
* Pratītyasamutpāda
* Rebirth
* Saṃsāra
* Saṅkhāra
* Skandha
* Śūnyatā
* Taṇhā (Craving)
* Tathātā
* Ten Fetters
* Three marks of existence
* Anicca
* Dukkha
* Anattā
* Two truths doctrine

Cosmology|

* Ten spiritual realms
* Six Paths
* Deva realm
* Human realm
* Asura realm
* Hungry Ghost realm
* Animal realm
* Naraka
* Three planes of existence

Branches|

* Mahayana
* Zen
* Chinese Chan
* Japanese Zen
* Korean Seon
* Vietnamese Thiền
* Pure Land
* Tiantai
* Huayan
* Risshū
* Nichiren
* Madhyamaka
* Yogachara
* Vajrayana
* Tibetan Buddhism
* Chinese Esoteric Buddhism
* Shingon
* Dzogchen
* Theravada
* Southern Esoteric Buddhism
* Navayana
* Early Buddhist schools
* Pre-sectarian Buddhism
* Basic points unifying Theravāda and Mahāyāna
* Southern, Eastern and Northern Buddhism

Practices|

* Bhavana
* Bodhipakkhiyādhammā
* Brahmavihara
* Mettā
* Karuṇā
* Mudita
* Upekkha
* Buddhābhiṣeka
* Dāna
* Devotion
* Deity yoga
* Dhyāna
* Faith
* Five Strengths
* Iddhipada
* Meditation
* Mantras
* Kammaṭṭhāna
* Recollection
* Smarana
* Anapanasati
* Samatha-vipassanā (Vipassana movement)
* Shikantaza
* Zazen
* Tukdam
* Koan
* Ganana
* Mandala
* Tonglen
* Tantra
* Tertön
* Terma
* Merit
* Mindfulness
* Mindful Yoga
* Satipatthana
* Nekkhamma
* Nianfo
* Pāramitā
* Paritta
* Puja
* Offerings
* Prostration
* Music
* Refuge
* Sādhu
* Satya
* Sacca
* Seven Factors of Enlightenment
* Sati
* Dhamma vicaya
* Pīti
* Passaddhi
* Śīla
* Five precepts
* Eight precepts
* Bodhisattva vow
* Pratimokṣa
* Threefold Training
* Śīla
* Samadhi
* Prajñā
* Vīrya
* Four Right Exertions
* Twenty-two vows of Ambedkar
* Yujia Yankou
* Shuilu Fahui

Nirvana|

* Bodhi
* Bodhisattva
* Buddhahood
* Pratyekabuddhayāna
* Four stages of awakening
* Sotāpanna
* Sakadagami
* Anāgāmi
* Arhat

Monasticism|

* Bhikkhu
* Bhikkhunī
* Śrāmaṇera
* Śrāmaṇerī
* Anagārika
* Ajahn
* Sayadaw
* Zen master
* Rōshi
* Lama
* Rinpoche
* Geshe
* Tulku
* Western tulku
* Kappiya
* Donchee
* Householder
* Upāsaka and Upāsikā
* Achar
* Śrāvaka
* Ten principal disciples
* Shaolin Monastery

Major figures|

* The Buddha
* Nagasena
* Aśvaghoṣa
* Nagarjuna
* Asanga
* Vasubandhu
* Kumārajīva
* Buddhaghosa
* Buddhapālita
* Dignāga
* Bodhidharma
* Zhiyi
* Emperor Wen of Sui
* Songtsen Gampo
* Xuanzang
* Shandao
* Padmasambhava
* Saraha
* Atiśa
* Naropa
* Karmapa
* Hōnen
* Shinran
* Dōgen
* Nichiren
* Shamarpa
* Dalai Lama
* Panchen Lama
* Ajahn Mun
* B. R. Ambedkar
* Ajahn Chah
* Thích Nhất Hạnh

Texts|

* Early Buddhist texts
* Tripiṭaka
* Mahayana sutras
* Pali Canon
* Chinese Buddhist canon
* Tibetan Buddhist canon
* Dhammapada
* Sutra
* Vinaya
* Madhyamakālaṃkāra
* Abhidharmadīpa

Countries|

* Afghanistan
* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* Cambodia
* China
* India
* Indonesia
* Japan
* Korea
* Laos
* Malaysia
* Maldives
* Mongolia
* Myanmar
* Nepal
* Pakistan
* Philippines
* Russia
* Buryatia
* Kalmykia
* Tuva (ru)
* Singapore
* Sri Lanka
* Taiwan
* Thailand
* Tibet
* Vietnam
* Africa
* Senegal
* South Africa
* Central Asia
* Uzbekistan
* Middle East
* Iran
* Saudi Arabia
* Western countries
* Argentina
* Australia
* Brazil
* Canada
* Costa Rica
* Czech Republic
* France
* Germany
* Italy
* Mexico
* New Zealand
* Norway
* Poland
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom
* United States
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

History|

* Timeline
* Ashoka
* Kanishka
* Buddhist councils
* History of Buddhism in India
* Decline of Buddhism in India
* Huichang persecution of Buddhism
* Greco-Buddhism
* Gandharan Buddhism
* Texts
* Menander I
* Buddhism and the Roman world
* Buddhism in the West
* Silk Road transmission of Buddhism
* Persecution of Buddhists
* In Afghanistan
* In Vietnam
* Rimé movement
* Banishment of Buddhist monks from Nepal
* Dalit Buddhist movement
* Chinese invasion of Tibet
* 1959 Tibetan uprising
* Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism
* Buddhist modernism
* Vipassana movement
* 969 Movement
* Engaged Buddhism
* Women in Buddhism

Philosophy|

* Abhidharma
* Atomism
* Buddhology
* Creator
* Buddhism and democracy
* Economics
* Eight Consciousnesses
* Engaged Buddhism
* Eschatology
* Ethics
* Evolution
* Humanism
* Logic
* Reality
* Secular Buddhism
* Socialism
* The unanswerable questions

Culture|

* Architecture
* Temple
* Vihāra
* Kyaung
* Wat
* Ordination hall
* Stupa
* Pagoda
* Burmese pagoda
* Candi
* Dzong architecture
* List of Buddhist architecture in China
* Japanese Buddhist architecture
* Buddhist temples in Korea
* Thai temple art and architecture
* Tibetan Buddhist architecture
* Art
* Greco-Buddhist
* Budai
* Buddha in art
* Calendar
* Cuisine
* Funeral
* Holidays
* Vesak
* Uposatha
* Māgha Pūjā
* Asalha Puja
* Vassa
* Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
* Kasaya
* Mahabodhi Temple
* Mantra
* Om mani padme hum
* Mudra
* Music
* Pilgrimage
* Lumbini
* Maya Devi Temple
* Bodh Gaya
* Sarnath
* Kushinagar
* Poetry
* Prayer beads
* Hama yumi
* Prayer wheel
* Symbolism
* Dharmachakra
* Flag
* Bhavacakra
* Swastika
* Thangka
* Temple of the Tooth
* Vegetarianism

Miscellaneous|

* Abhijñā
* Amitābha
* Brahmā
* Dharma talk
* Hinayana
* Iddhi
* Kalpa
* Koliya
* Lineage
* Māra
* Siddhi
* Sacred languages
* Pāḷi
* Sanskrit

Comparison|

* Baháʼí Faith
* Christianity
* Influences
* Comparison
* East Asian religions
* Gnosticism
* Hinduism
* Jainism
* Judaism
* Psychology
* Science
* Theosophy
* Violence
* Western philosophy

Lists|

* Bodhisattvas
* Buddhas
* Buddhists
* Suttas
* Sutras
* Temples
* Festivals

* Category
* Buddhism portal

* v
* t
* e

Tirhut division topics

General|

* Kesaria
* Lauria Nandangarh
* Mahatma Gandhi Setu
* Tirhut/Mithila
* Tirhuta script
* Vaishali (ancient city)

Districts|

* East Champaran
* Muzaffarpur
* Sheohar
* Sitamarhi
* Vaishali
* West Champaran

Locations
other than cities and towns|

* Sonbarsa
* Anuja
* Auraia
* Bahuarwa
* Bahuarwa
* Bairia
* Bairia
* Baitapur
* Bakhri
* Banwaria
* Bargajwa
* Bargajwa
* Bargon
* Barnihar
* Barwa (216634)
* Barwa (216656)
* Barwa Barauli
* Baswaria
* Balua
* Belwa
* Belwania
* Bhabhta
* Bhagauna
* Bhasurari
* Bhataura
* Bheriharwa
* Bijbania
* Binwalia
* Bishunpurwa
* Bishunpurwa
* Champapur
* Chanki
* Chaurbar
* Chitamanpur
* Dakahwa
* Dhaarahwa
* Dhaminha
* Dhobaha
* Dhumnagiar
* Durgaulia
* Garurha
* Gobardhana
* Hainswa
* Harditerha
* Harpur
* Harsari
* Imilia
* Indarwa
* Jaimangalpur
* Jamunia
* Katahri
* Katgharwa
* Kesaria
* Khairwa
* Kharkatwa
* Khiria
* Koirganwan
* Kukurha
* Kundalpur
* Langra
* Laukaria
* Lediharwa
* Madhubani village
* Maga Rahi
* Maheshpur
* Mahuawa
* Majharia
* Majharia
* Malda
* Maldahia
* Maldi
* Manwa
* Marhia
* Mathia
* Mathia Khap
* Mathia Nisf
* Mathura
* Matiaria
* Merraul
* Motihari
* Mujauna, Shikarpur
* Mujauna, Sugauli
* Murli
* Murli
* Musaharwa
* Nankar
* Natkatia
* Nautanwa

Community development blocks|

* Desari
* Goraul
* Majorganj
* Raghopur
* Sahebganj

Rivers|

* Bagmati
* Burhi Gandak
* Gandaki
* Ganges
* Lakhandei

Transport|

* NH 19
* NH 57
* NH 77
* NH 102
* NH 103
* NH 227
* NH 527
* NH 527D
* NH 727
* Barauni–Gorakhpur, Raxaul and Jainagar lines
* Barauni–Samastipur–Muzaffarpur–Hajipur line
* Muzaffarpur–Gorakhpur line (via Hajipur, Raxaul and Sitamarhi)
* Muzaffarpur–Gorakhpur main line
* Muzaffarpur–Hajipur section
* Samastipur–Muzaffarpur section
* Barauni–Samastipur section

Railway stations|

* Desari
* Hajipur Junction
* Muzaffarpur Junction
* Narkatiaganj Junction
* Sonpur Junction

Lok Sabha constituencies|

* Hajipur
* Muzaffarpur
* Paschim Champaran
* Purvi Champaran
* Sheohar
* Sitamarhi
* Vaishali
* Valmiki Nagar

Former Lok Sabha constituencies|

* Bagaha
* Bettiah
* Motihari

Vidhan Sabha constituencies|

| West Champaran|

* Valmiki Nagar
* Ramnagar
* Narkatiaganj
* Bagaha
* Lauriya
* Nautan
* Chanpatia
* Bettiah
* Sikta

|

East Champaran|

* Raxaul
* Sugauli
* Narkatiya
* Harsidhi
* Govindganj
* Kesaria
* Kalyanpur
* Pipra
* Madhuban
* Motihari
* Chiraia
* Dhaka

Sheohar|

* Sheohar

Sitamarhi|

* Riga
* Bathnala
* Parihar
* Sursand
* Bajpatti
* Sitamarhi
* Runnisaidpur
* Belsand

Muzaffarpur|

* Gaighat
* Aurai
* Minapur
* Bochahan
* Sakra
* Kurhani
* Muzaffarpur
* Kanti
* Baruraj
* Paroo
* Sahebganj

Vaishali|

* Hajipur
* Lalganj
* Vaishali
* Mahua
* Raja Pakar
* Raghopur
* Mahnar
* Patepur

Former
Vidhan Sabha constituencies|

* Dhanaha
* Shikarpur
* Adapur
* Ghorasahan
* Majorganj
* Sonbarsha
* Pupri
* Jandaha

See also|

* Cities and towns in Tirhut Division
* Villages in West Champaran district
* Villages in East Champaran district
* Villages in Sitamarhi district
* Villages in Muzaffarpur district
* Villages in Vaishali district
* People from Sitamarhi district
* Bihar topics

Other divisions|

* Bhagalpur
* Darbhanga
* Kosi
* Magadh
* Munger
* Patna
* Purnia
* Saran

* v
* t
* e

Tourist sites in Bihar

Archaeological/
monuments|

| Excavation|

* Chirand
* Kumhrar
* Agam Kuan
* Barabar Caves
* Krimila
* Nalanda
* Vikramashila

|

Ancient|

* Vishnupad Mandir
* Mahabodhi Temple
* Deo Sun Temple
* Sasaram
* Maner Sharif
* Pataliputra
* Brahmayoni Hill
* Pretshila Hill
* Ramshila Hill

Forts|

* Rohtas Fort
* Sasaram Fort
* Deo Fort
* Palamu Fort
* Maner Fort
* Jalalgarh Fort
* Raj Mahal

Monuments|

* Golghar
* Patna Museum
* Mahatma Gandhi Setu
* Rajgir Film City

Pilgrimage|

| Hindu|

* Patna
* Sitamarhi
* Madhubani
* Deo
* Punausa
* Buxar
* West Champaran
* Munger
* Jamui
* Darbhanga
* Anga

|

Buddhist|

* Mahabodhi Temple
* Bodhi tree
* Bodh Gaya
* Vaishali
* Pawapuri
* Nalanda
* Rajgir
* Kesaria
* Vikramashila
* Areraj
* Pataliputra

Jain|

* Rajgir
* Pawapuri
* Pataliputra
* Arrah
* Vikramashila

Islamic|

* Malayalam
* Malayalam calendar
* Mappila dialect
* Judeo-Malayalam
* Arabi Malayalam

Sikh|

* Takht Sri Patna Sahib (Guru ka Bagh)
* Ghai Ghat
* Handi Sahib
* Gobind Ghat
* Bal Lila Maini
* Taksali Sangat
* Guru Bagh
* Chacha Phaggu Mal
* Pakki Sangat
* Bari Sangat

Christian|

* Padri Ki Haveli

Tourism in Bihar
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[c.]: circa