I was contemplating a visit to Vaishali since the day I landed in India. The Japanese embassy in India helped me immensely in gathering information about all the important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India. I didn’t want to miss out any of them.

In Vaishali the first place that I visited was the Kutagarshala Vihara, 3 kms from the main town. My guide informed that it was built by the Lichchavis for Sakhamuni. Also known as Buddha Stupa II, this site has revealed extensive remains of a monastery with an open courtyard and verandah. Towards the south I saw a large tank and the Kutagarshala Chaitya.

Next, I visited the Abhishek Pushkarini or the coronation tank, 1 km away. I learnt that the sacred waters of the tank were used to anoint the elected representatives of Vaishali. Next to it was the Japanese temple and the Vishwa Shanti Stupa (World Peace Pagoda) built by the Nipponzan Myohoji sect of Japan. The Stupa I or the Relic Stupa near the coronation tank sent me to a frenzy of devotion. It was here that the Lichchavis, out of sheer reverence for the Buddha, encased one of the eight portions of the Master's relics, which they received after the “Mahaparinirvana”.

The Site Museum, towards the north, has an exquisite collection dating from 3rd century BC to 6th century AD. The terracotta monkey heads in different styles were very interesting to me.

Lastly, I must mention that it was at Vaishali where the second Buddhist council which was held and thousands of missionaries were dispatched to propagate the religion far and wide across the world.