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Nalanda University in Bihar

Nalanda is the place that was founded in the 5th century AD and is famous as the most ancient seat of learning. It is the most ancient university and also located at the distance of 62 kilometers from Bodhgaya and 90 kilometers south of Patna. It has been believed that Lord Buddha has visited Nalanda for the number of times during his lifetime. The place has been famous learning center of Buddhists during the 5th-12th century. The name of Nalanda owes the name to the naga (serpent) who lived in the tank and is the royal capital of Rajagriha.

The town is having the prosperous and was also having number of buildings. There was the beautiful bathing hall which was supported by the hundreds of pillars. The favorite disciple of Buddha Sariputra was born here in Nalanda and also died here by preaching the place. In the third century BC Mauryan emperor, Ashoka has visited here and honored the famous monk with the grand stupa. The town Nalanda was established by the ruling kings of the Gupta dynasty.

Hiuen Tsang has recorded Nalanda as the flourishing residential university with having over 10,000 monks and was having 1500 teachers. The university was having the lofty walls with a gate. The Sangharama buildings as the three to six storeys high. There was 80 feet high copper image of Buddha. The poetic nine storey library is Ratnasagar (sea of gems), Ratnodadhi (ocean of gems) and Ratnaranjaka (delighter of gems).

Teachings of Nalanda

There was the strict code of conduct in the alumni of the Nalanda and is famous throughout the land with the learning and high morals. The teachings and concept of the Nalanda university is based on the discussion and debate among the scholars who are under the guidance of the respective teachers.

The university also took the care of the student's requirements of cloth, food, bedding and medicine. The breakfast of the student included the rice water while the midday meal included rice, fruits and milk. The excavations has revealed the community kitchen with the large oven which indicates the common mess for the students. The revenues of the several local villages was spent as the expenses of the monastery.

Scholars at the University

The student teacher relationship was based on the reverence, respect and affection. The students are responsible for the maintenance of the university like sweeping of floor, organizing the kitchen, maintaining discipline, allotment of rooms and residential arrangements with the responsibility of the monks. Award ceremonies were organized at regular time intervals to honor the students with degrees and certificates. After the education gets finished in the university the scholars were proceeded to the kings court and present themselves for the appointments or assignments.

How to Reach?

Air: The nearest airport to Nalanda is Patna which is around 89 kilometers which connects directly to Kolkata, Ranchi, Mumbai, Delhi and Lucknow.

Railways: Rajgir is the nearest railway head from Nalanda but the nearest convenient railway head is Gaya which is located at the distance of 95 kilometers.

Road: Nalanda is having the good road network with Rajgir (12 km), Bodh Gaya (110 km), Gaya (95 km), Patna (90 km), Pawapuri (26 km), Bihar Sharif (13 km).

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