Rajgir (Rajgrahi) is the famous pilgrimage centre for Jains, this is also known as Panch Pahadi. Rajgir is famous as Jain Teerth from ancient times. Twentieth Teerthankar Bhagwan MuniSuvratnath’s four Kalyanka – Garbha, Janma, Tapa and Gyan (Jnan) were celebrated at this sacred place. This place was capital of King Jarasandha (Contemporary to Lord Krishna & Bhagwan Neminath) and capital of the emperor of Magadha King Shrenik (Bimbsar). King Shrenik was the principal disciple of Bhagwan Mahaveer. Rajgrahi had the great strategic importance also at that time.
From the five hills of Rajgrahi – Vipulachala, Ratnagiri, Udaigiri, Arungiri (Swarngiri) and Vaibhavgiri. So many ascetic saints attained salvation going through deep meditation and penance. Jivandhara, Swet Sundarva, Vaishakha, Vidyuchchara, Gandhamadana, Preetinkara, Dhandatta are famous among them. So this place is also famous as Siddha Kshetra.
Bhagwan Mahaveer stayed here in Chaturmaas (Four months period of rainy season), fourteen times in the state of Muni. His first Samavsharan was also established here on Vipulachala after attaining Kevalgyan (omniscience) and he delivered his first precept from here for the persons and all living beings desiring to get free from the mesh of worldly worries and affairs.
This is the place, where great scholar of Vedas and supporter of Yagya – Indrabhooti Gautam with his 500 disciples came in the shelter of Bhagwan Mahaveer and became the first and principal Gandhara.
Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddha Dharma (Religion) also came here so many times with his Sangha. Rajgrahi is also the place of faith for Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Bauddhas.
So this place is recognized as the International Tourism Centre in the world.
Main Temple & Idol :
At Rajgrahi Siddha Kshetra is ornamented by huge temples with sky high spires, ten temples are established on hills and two are situated in valley
First of the five hills is Vipulachala, four magnificent temples are established here, among them one is recently constructed. To memorize the four Kalyanakas of Bhagwan MuniSuvratnath, a huge and attractive monument is constructed here.
One should go to Udaigiri from Vipulachala, where two temples are present. While digging two ancient Jain temples are also found here. Idols recovered from these two ancient temples are placed in Lal Mandir (Situated in valley).
A path passing through the valley goes to fourth hill Swarnagiri, there are three temples. While one comes down to go to fifth hill, a Cave named Sonbhandar Gufa comes in the path. In this cave Jain idols are carved on the walls.
Last hill is Vaibhavgiri, where five temples are established. Here a huge ancient Jain temple is recovered after digging with 24 rooms in it. This is about 1200 years old and many ancient artistic idols are established here.
1.5 Kms ahead of this last hill, a pair of foot images of Ganadhar Bhagwan are worth being seen.
In the valley, ruins of palaces of King Shrenik are found.