CRADLE OF BUDDHISM AND JAINISM - VAISHALI, BIHAR

Today Vaishali is a small village surrounded by agriculture fields. Archaeological remains are witness of its glorious past. The Ramayana tells the story of the heroic King Vishal who ruled this place.

It is considered as birthplace of Democracy by many historian. Vaishali is also cradle of Buddhism and Jainism. Bhagwan Mahavira was born and brought up in Kundalagrama in Vaiśālī republic, which makes it a pious and auspicious pilgrimage to Jains. Also Gautama Buddha preached his last sermon before his death .The city is also mentioned by Chinese explorers Faxian (4th century BC) and Xuanzang (7th century BC). 

Our first stop was Japanese temple and the Viśvā Śānti Stūpa (World Peace Pagoda) built by Japanese Nichiren Buddhist sect Nipponzan-Myōhōji. A small part of the Buddha's relics found in Vaiśālī have been enshrined in the foundation and in the chhatra of the Stupa. It is an impressive temple but badly maintained.

There is a lake besides the Stupa. We enjoyed the boating for sometime before heading toward archaeological museum .

 Archaeological museum is small but have impressive collections mainly found during excavation of remains. The Museum is close on Friday.

I was surprised to see a well maintained restaurant and Children park near the Stupa. We had lunch in the restaurant and headed to see The archaeological site is few km away from the Buddhist Stupa.

Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and also preached his last sermon. To commemorate the event, Emperor Ashoka erected one of his famous lion pillars here in 3^rd century BC. The lion pillar still stand and in it is good condition. Local villagers call it lathi of Bhima.

 This site is excavated in 1958 led to the discovery of water tank, casket containing the ashes of the Lord and remains of ancient stupa.

 

Recently Choumukhi Mahadeva (Four faced Shiva) is excavated which is more than thousand year old. Villagers told us that archaeological society of India tried to take it to Patna museum but they were not able to move it from its original place. People decided to build a temple at same place.

Kankalini Madir (Kali Mandir), Bharda, Nepal - A temple of sacrifice

I spent most of my childhood in Birpur, Supaul. It is a small town near India–Nepal border. Last year i visited birpur after 15 year to see the town and my school. There was very little change in the town. My school was now much bigger than it used to be when I left the town. It was very emotional moment for me to be a place which is linked to my countless number of beautiful memories.

Next day myself and my family decided to visit Kankalini Mandir (Kali Mandir) in Bharda, Nepal. It is an ancient temple and devotee comes from all over Nepal and Bihar, India. This temple is dedicated to Kali, the goddess of destruction. Temple is also famous for mass animal sacrifice during Kali Puja. Every year unaccounted number of water buffaloes and small animals are scarified. 

We Started early morning from birpur and stopped at bhimnagar for breakfast. We  stopped at check post again near the Indo-Nepal border. One of the border guard from Nepal asked us the purpose of visit and suggested to take permit at barrage . In fact there is no border fence or clear demarcation between India and Nepal except few stones. After few kilometer inside Nepal we reached koshi barrage.

Koshi barrage is a flood control channel to control the flood. It is an engineering marvel with 52 gates which controls the flow of river.  Near the Barrage  i arranged permits for my vehicle at bhansar office . We passed through koshi barrage and after few km further through green fields we reached the temple.

Temple was recently renovates and there was less crowd inside because it was not an auspicious week to visit the temple. 

We performed the puja at the temple. There were two altar one for water Buffalo and another for small animals. I witness sacrifice of many animal and birds. There was pool of blood near the altar.

We spent some time exploring nearby area and dam. There were many local kids playing near the temple and on nearby trees for berries. I gave them some Prasad and my wife tried to talk to them. They were very happy to see their pictures on my camera screen.

 My mother bought few pictures of temple and sweets from shops before heading back. 

On the way back We Stopped near the kosi barrage to see the barrage and fishing by some daredevils.

We stopped at check post again to show them the permits of my vehicle. One change I noticed was the security. In past i never saw any military presence in these area. Security at India-Nepal border has been beefed up recently. We returned back to birpur in late afternoon with memories.

Bird Watchers Paradise , Dubai Pivot Field

 I love bird watching and catching them in my camera. I came to know from many birdwatchers about Dubai pivot field. Dubai pivot field is a fodder growing field, which is irrigated by two centre Pivot systems. It is also home of many birds and regularly visited by bird-watcher from all over the world. I tried to get help from my colleagues about the direction but sadly no one have even heard the name of Pivot field. Last resort was Google map.

It was easy to find this location. Pivot field is about 1km from the first exit on Al Awir road after the Dragon mart. There is a board of Dubai textile city near the Exit. After 100-200 m on the exit, there are two diversion one goes to Dubai Textile city and other, which follows the green tree goes to Main gate of Pivot field. There is a board of nursery on the main gate. I met few people near the gate and they  instructed me to be on track and not to drive on grass I did not anticipated this field to be spread over such a large area. It was not easy to believe such a big green field in the desert and it reminded me agriculture fields of my native village in India. I could see the big Pivot with fountains irrigating and moving along the path. I started walking toward small pivot, which was not functioning that time.

Grass Field

Bigger pivot @ Dubai Pivot Field

Smaller pivot @ Dubai Pivot Field. 

 I saw  many small birds including bee-eater, European Stonechat , shrikes on water sprinkles. White wagtail, lark and Black collar dove was abundant. There were few Gull, Sandpipers and Dove near the stagnant water from water sprinklers . I found as many as 30-40 White-tailed Lapwing Near the small pivot. 

Bee-eater @ Dubai Pivot field

Shrike @ Dubai Pivot field

European Stonechat @ Dubai Pivot field

White-tailed Lapwing @ Dubai Pivot Field

Lark @ Dubai Pivot Field

Sandpipers @ Dubai Pivot Field 

White-tailed Lapwing @ Dubai Pivot Field

White wagtail @ Dubai Pivot Field

I saw at least one raptor (I guess it was Greater Spotted Eagles) resting very far from me.

Raptor @ Dubai Pivot Field

Raptor hovering above the Big Pivot

Yellow Wagtail @ Dubai Pivot Field

I walked toward big pivot and  saw few new bird along with red wattled lapping, grey francolin. Being a new Bird-watcher I was not familiar with few bird species. I met another birdwatcher who was looking for Social Lapwing from last two days. I found first yellow wagtail among abundant white wagtail and lark near the grass field in-front of Bigger pivot. Workers were rolling and cutting the grass and many Egret, Indian Roller  and Hoopoe were following the tractor in search of their meal.

There were hundreds of sparrow and other birds on the big pivot and raptors hovering above it. 

I watched the movement of big pivot for sometime.I left the place with the promise to come back sometime in morning to experience the Sunrise and find new birds at Dubai pivot field.