Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Rajgir
A white peace pagoda on Ratnagiri Hill, the first of the peace stupas built by the Japanese order Nipponzan Myohoji.
The Vishwa Shanti Stupa, or World Peace Stupa, is a white peace pagoda on Ratnagiri Hill above Rajgir. Statues of the Buddha are set into its dome facing the four directions, and a small Japanese Buddhist temple nearby holds prayers for universal peace.
It was built by the Japanese Buddhist order Nipponzan Myohoji. Its founder, Nichidatsu Fujii, was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and set out to build peace pagodas after the atomic bombings of Japan. The Rajgir stupa was the first of these. It was completed in 1969 and took its present form after work begun in 1993. Around 80 peace pagodas have since been built around the world.
Rajgir, the ancient Rajagriha, was the first capital of the kingdom of Magadha, and the hills around it are closely tied to the life of the Buddha.
Getting there
Rajgir has a railway station. The stupa stands on a hilltop above the town; a ropeway serves the hill, so check whether it is running on the day you visit.
Visitor information
Check current ropeway timings and fares locally or with Bihar Tourism before you go.
Timings, fees and access can change. Please confirm with official sources before you travel.
