Vikramaśīla University was one of the two most important centers of Buddhist learning in India during the Pala dynasty, along with Nālandā University. Vikramaśīla was established by King Dharmapala (783 to 820) in response to a supposed decline in the quality of scholarship at Nālandā. Atisha, the renowned pandita, is sometimes listed as a notable abbot.
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A huge mound with a circumference about one Kilometre and walls nearly 2 mtr high with a 43 mtr wide moat around them, is said to be the ancient Parliament house. Over seven thousand representatives of the federal assembly gathered here to legislate and discuss the problems of the day.
Coronation Tank, also called Abhishek Pushkarni held a very important position in century old Vaishali. The water of Coronation Tank during that period was considered to be holy and sacred. Thus it was used for anointing Vaishali's elected representatives before they were sworn in to their respected positions. The Lichchavi stupa was located near here. The stone casket of the sacred ashes of Lord Buddha were enshrined here in Vaishali.
The Lion Pillar at Kolhua, was built by Emperor Ashoka. It is made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone, surmounted by bell shaped capital, 18.3m. high. A life-size figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar. The pillar is well-preserved and intact. There is a small tank here known as Ramkund. One can also find a few dilapidated stupas in Vaishali.
King Bimbisara was imprisoned here by his impatient son and heir, Ajatashatru. The captive king chose this site for his incarceration. For, from this spot, he could see Lord Buddha climbing up to his moutain retreat atop the Griddhakuta Hill. There is a clear view of the Japanese Pagoda. The stupa of peace was built on the top of the hill.
It was built by Ajatashatru (6th century B.C.), the king of Magadha. The 6.5 sq. metre Ajatashatru's Stupa is also believed to have been built by him.
Jarasandha Ka Akhara is an important place related to the great albeit evil warrior who used to practice martial arts here daily. There relentless attack on Mathura also caused Lord Krishna to migrate the people of Mathura to Dwarika.
Jarashand ka akhara is the Ranbhumi where Bhima and Jarasandh fought one of the Mahabharat battles.
Some centuries ago it was situated on the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Son, and river Saryu joined it from the north. The remains of an old time fortress on the bank of the channel of the Son reminds one that Maner was a strategic point in ancient times. It appears as if it were the western gate of Patliputra in the Mauryan times. It is famous for its Bari and Choti Dargah, sacred to the memory of the Sufi Saint Hazrat Makhdoom yahya Maneri of the 13th century.
The old opium warehouse in Gulzarbagh is located in a walked compound on the river bank. This opium warehouse was constructed by the East India Company and is now used as the government printing press. The visitors can enter the three long portioned buildings, from where the opium was packaged before being sent by boat to Kolkata
This is also called as Nav Lakha building which was built by Maharaja Sir Kameshwar Singh of Darbhanga. This beautiful building on the banks of Ganges now houses the post graduate departments of Patna University. It houses the Kali Mandir, which has been a place of worship of the goddess. The Maharaja himself was a great devotee and the students of the Patna University rarely take an exam without offering a prayer.
