Page 223 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

BIHAR & JHARKHAND  221

4 Vaishali
Vaishali district. 55 km (34 miles) N
of Patna. @ n Tourist Information
Centre, Vaishali (06225) 284 425.
Set in the lush green landscape
of north Bihar, dotted with
groves of banana and litchi
trees, Vaishali is an important
religious site. Mahavira, founder
of the Jain faith (see p400), is
said to have been born here
in 599 BC. It is also the place
where the Buddha preached The renowned Bihar School of Yoga, inside Munger Fort
his last sermon (see p225). In
the 6th century BC, Vaishali hungry Buddha a bowl of honey 5 Munger
was a flourishing city under the here – a scene often depicted in Munger district. 180 km (112 miles)
Lichhavi rulers, who established Buddhist sculpture and painting. E of Patna. £ n Tourist Information
one of the world’s first city Also near the pillar are the ruins Centre, Fort Area, Munger
republics here. A well-preserved of a 5th-century BC brick stupa. (06344) 222 392.
Mauryan Stone Pillar, dating It is believed to have been built
from the 3rd century BC, with by the Lichhavi rulers soon Picturesquely located on the
a life-size lion sitting atop it, after the Buddha’s death to banks of the Ganges, Munger
is located 4 km enshrine his ashes. Ongoing is home to the famous Bihar
(2 miles) west of the excavations have revealed the School of Yoga, established
Tourist Lodge. brick foundations of various by Swami Satyanand, and
Close to the pillar other stupas. In 1996, now run by his disciple Swami
is the Abishek Japanese Buddhists Niranjananand. The school
Pushkarni Tank, built a temple and lies within the 15th-century
also known as a huge white Munger Fort, and welcomes
the Monkey Tank, Vishwa Shanti visitors. The fort was successively
which is now a Stupa (“World occupied by the Mughals,
stagnant pond. Peace Stupa”), various regional rulers and the
According to re-establishing British. Near the north gate
legend, it was Vaishali on of the fort is an 18th-century
dug by monkeys, The lion atop the 3rd-century BC the Buddhist British cemetery with ornate
who offered the pillar, Vaishali pilgrimage circuit. pyramid-shaped tombs.
P Bihar School of Yoga
Madhubani Painting Tel (06344) 222 430. Open daily.
∑ biharyoga.net
The vibrant Madhubani folk paintings (see p85) of north Bihar have
now gained international acclaim and popularity. Painted on the
walls of village homes by women, Madhubani art features motifs and 6 Deoghar
themes inspired by Hindu mythology, nature and festivals, as well as
by everyday life. Especially intricate compositions are created for the Deoghar district. 180 km (112 miles)
kohbar, or bridal room, for the wedding night, usually featuring a SE of Patna. £ @ n Tourist
god and goddess surrounded by a Information Centre, (06432) 222 422.
host of small birds and animals, and _ Mela (Jul/Aug).
watched over by the sun, moon
and stars. In recent years, with Deoghar’s Baidyanath Dham
Madhubani women having is an important Shiva temple
participated in international in India. It is said to mark the
exhibitions in foreign countries, spot where the heart of Shiva’s
new motifs have crept into consort Parvati fell, as the grief-
their work, such as skyscrapers, stricken Shiva carried her corpse
aeroplanes and women in stiletto
heels. The vibrant colours used are across the earth (see p283).
made of vegetable and mineral An object of special worship
dyes, and the paintings are is the linga inside the temple,
drawn with thin bamboo sticks. one of Shiva’s 12 jyotirlingas
Madhubani paintings are now also (see p206), believed to have
being done on paper and fabric, miraculously materialized
and are widely available for sale A Madhubani painting, with its out of light. The month-long
in many Indian cities. strong lines and colours annual mela here attracts over
100,000 pilgrims every day.

220-221_EW_India.indd 221 26/04/17 11:44 am