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Buddhist site · Nalanda district, Bihar

Rajgir and Nalanda

The Vulture Peak and the ancient university.

Best monthsOct-Mar
BusiestRajgir Mahotsav (winter)
Nearest airportGaya (GAY)
Month by month
  1. JAnuary (good)
  2. FEbruary (good)
  3. MArch (good)
  4. APril
  5. MAy
  6. JUne
  7. JUly
  8. AUgust
  9. SEptember
  10. OCtober (good)
  11. NOvember (good)
  12. DEcember (good)

Why people go

Rajgir’s Vulture Peak (Gridhakuta), where the Buddha taught, and the ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara (UNESCO), one of the world’s first great universities, 15 km away.

Getting there

  • Nearest airports: Gaya (GAY), about 57 km, Varanasi (VNS), about 262 km in a straight line. Check which have flights from your city.
  • Nearest major railway station: Bakhtiyarpur Junction railway station (BKP), about 49 km. Smaller stations may be closer.
  • Base: our Bodh Gaya guide covers where to stay and how to get there.

Tips before you go

  • A day trip from Bodh Gaya (about 2 hours).
  • Ride the ropeway to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa.

Visiting from abroad?

Everyone is welcome. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and follow the queue rules. OCI and foreign passport holders: carry your passport.

Part of

The Buddhist circuit · Jain tirthas

Other shrines nearby

Frequently asked questions

Where is Rajgir and Nalanda?
Rajgir and Nalanda is in Nalanda district, Bihar.
How do I reach Rajgir and Nalanda?
The nearest airport on our list is Gaya (GAY), about 57 km away in a straight line, and the nearest major railway station is Bakhtiyarpur Junction railway station, about 49 km away.
What is the best time to visit Rajgir and Nalanda?
Oct-Mar is the most comfortable. The busiest times are Rajgir Mahotsav (winter).
Can non-Hindus or foreigners visit Rajgir and Nalanda?
Everyone is welcome.

How we chose: real demand, from monthly Google searches in India (Semrush, India database, monthly Google searches, checked 21 Oct 2026), plus the circuits families actually travel. Locations: Wikidata (CC0) and Wikipedia. Airports and stations are the nearest on our own lists, measured in a straight line, so check flights and road times. We do not list timings or fees because they change; check with the temple. Checked 21 Oct 2026.

More: Wikipedia

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