Rajgir is in a pleasant valley, nearly 105 kms from the Capital city of Patna, and is supposed to be the first recorded capital of the India. The earlier name of the city was Raja Griha which literally means house of the Kings or the house of the royalty. It was a flourishing capital of the Magadh rulers during the time of Buddha in the 6th century B.C. It was during the time of the ruler Ajatshatru that the place flourished to become staunch follower of Buddhism. The Buddha frequented Raja Griha, seeking the solitude and tranquility of the Jivkamaravana monastery, preaching and meditating at the Griddhakuta hill. It was at this here that one of his celebrated followers the King Bimbisara was converted to Buddhism. Rajgir held the first Buddhist council at the Saptaparni caves where Lord Buddha's teachings were written down for the first time.
Today Rajgir is nothing more than a village. Some ruins those stand belonging to the ancient era have made this sleepy village in to one of the most revered pilgrimage places for Buddhists.
