History Vaishali
The history of Vaishali starts from the Mahabharata period. This is where democracy began around 600 BC. There are many references to Vaishali in texts related to both Jainism and Buddhism, which preserve much information about Vaishali and other Mahajanapadas. Based on information found in these texts, Vaishali was established as a republic in the 6th century BCE, before the birth of Gautam Buddha in 563, making it the world’s first republic. Vaishali has an extraordinary place in history being the birthplace of the last Jain “Tirthankara” Lord Mahavira. Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, gave his last sermon and announced his parinirvana (attainment of enlightenment) on this holy land. It is also famous as the land of the great Indian courtesan Ambapali (Amrapali). It is believed that this district is named after King Vishal. However, history records that at the time Pataliputra was the centre of political, cultural and economic activities in the Gangetic plains, at the same time Vaishali came into existence as the centre of the Ganges, it was the seat of the Vajji Republic. Vaishali is credited with being the world’s first republic with a duly elected assembly of representatives and efficient administration. The district gained the status of an independent district on 12-10-1972, before which it was a part of the old Muzaffarpur district. Hajipur, the district headquarters of Vaishali, was named after the Bengal king Haji Ilyas Shah (1345 to 1358 A.D.), who founded it. He built a fort at Hajipur, inside which there was a mosque called Jami Masjid.
The district is spread over an area of ​​2036 square kilometres and is located at 25°41’N 85°13’E/25.68°N 85.22°E. The district is surrounded by Muzaffarpur (north), Patna (south), Samastipur (east) and Saran (west). The district has 3 sub-divisions, 16 blocks, 290 gram panchayats and 1572 villages. and Vaishali, Rameshbabu, Vaishali, Vaishali, Vaishali Nagar.
Hajipur:Â
National poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, while giving his words to the glorious history of this place during his visit to Vaishali, had said, that Vaishali is the protector of the people, the creator of the masses. The mother of democracy which is worshiped by the world today. Stop for a moment, traveller, bow your head on this soil and keep offering flowers on the tomb of royal achievements. The history of Vaishali, famous as the mother of democracy, is also mentioned in the context of Gautam Buddha’s Karmabhoomi, Lord Mahavir’s birthplace and the holy theatre of Amrapali. Its past is also connected to the Mahabharata period. The historical Abhishek Pushkarni situated here has been an important center of the democratic system which had taken shape here in the sixth century BC. In those times, the coronation of kings and emperors was done with the holy water of Pushkarini. Naturally, it easily attracts tourists from the country and the world. On the occasion of the Vaishali Mahotsav organized every year, puja-prasad is performed on the banks of Pushkarini. After the Archana, a grand Kalash Shobha Yatra is taken out in the Pushkarani by boat. The festival commences only after this Kalash is installed on the stage.
Abhishek Pushkarni is in the centre of Vaishali:
Abhishek Pushkarni is located in the centre of Vaishali. Tourists feel happy when they see the Shanti Stupa situated right in front of the Pushkarni in the water of the Pushkarini. There is a paved road around the Pushkarini. At night It has a different look amidst the colorful lights. Just a few months ago, there was a provision for boating here on a private level. A large number of tourists visiting here used to enjoy boating in Pushkarini.
PM Modi inaugurated the laser show:Â
This year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the laser show online on the Pushkarini coast itself. Here, about 250 tourists met simultaneously and got information about historical Vaishali through laser. And you will be able to learn in English. However, even after about six months of inauguration, it has not been started yet.
Gautam Buddha used to stay near the Pushkarini bank:Â
Whenever Gautam Buddha came to Vaishali, he used to stay on the banks of the holy Abhishek Pushkarni. When Buddha came to Vaishali for the first time, there was an epidemic here at that time. Gautam Buddha sprinkled the water of this Pushkarini on the bodies of people after performing Abhishek and people became healthy. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had stayed on this bank for three days: In the year 2010, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had come to Vaishali on a three-day tour. Nitish had stayed for three days in the Parishad located on the bank of Abhishek Pushkarni, located about 40 km from Vaishali district headquarters Hajipur, and laid the foundation of Vaishali’s progress. Then, on the instructions of the Chief Minister, the Pushkarni was renovated and beautified. However, in recent years, the Pushkarni has once again become a victim of neglect and water hyacinth has grown all around it.
A museum is being built on the Pushkarini coast at a cost of about Rs 500 crore:Â
A museum is being built near the banks of Abhishek Pushkarni at a cost of about Rs 500 crore the construction work of Buddha Darshan Samyak Museum is going on at a war footing. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar himself has visited Vaishali four times to inspect the construction work of the museum. Its inauguration is likely this year. After the inauguration of the museum, the urn containing the ashes of Lord Buddha will be installed here, which was found during excavation in Vaishali itself. For security reasons, it is currently kept in the museum located in Patna. After the construction of the museum, the number of tourists visiting Vaishali will increase and the development of this place will be further expanded.
Can reach Vaishali by road and rail, accommodation is also available: Abhishek Pushkarni located at Vaishali 5 is located at a distance of about 40 km from Hajipur and 65 km from Patna. By road, one can reach here from Hajipur via Lalganj. From Hajipur, one can reach Pushkarni by rail from Vaishali Railway Station. There are many residential hotels and restaurants near Pushkarini where one can enjoy all kinds of delicious dishes.
Internal Link – Bihartour