Saptaparni Cave

The Saptaparni Cave in Rajgir, Bihar, holds immense historical and spiritual significance. This sacred site is believed to be where the first Buddhist council was conducted after Lord Buddha's Parinirvana. Named after the seven Saptaparni trees that once shaded the cave entrance, it served as a meeting place for 500 arhats to preserve Buddha's teachings. The tranquil ambiance of the cave, nestled atop the Ratnagiri Hills, offers a serene retreat for meditation and reflection. Pilgrims and history enthusiasts are drawn to this cave, fostering a deep connection to Buddhism's origins and its profound impact on the region's spiritual heritage.

Very beautiful place, full of natural beauty. This place is more than 500 feet above the ground.
From here you can view the greenery of the fields, the rural beauty. Bring a torch with you for better view of the cave and be alert of the local imposters. Don't give money unnecessarily to anyone.

Such an amazing place. Quiet , spacious, relaxed are a few feelings that will hopefully come to your mind visiting this holy site . Enjoy the view and the majestic presence of centuries of genuine practitioners.

Here you can see the ruins of the old mahadev temple. But there is no cave. People are giving wrong photos. These are the actual pictures. 🙏🙏🙏

Hello friends 😃😁.
I unable to tell about this place,Very beautiful place is this.You see the creatures of nature.This place is good for bhudhist and it also promotes the tourism.When you see the caves of this place you will amazed.This place is good for meditation as well as for yoga.

Big cave in Bihar and must visit on hill up side of bharm kund and after 15 year old guys

its a amazing palace for tour for school boys and girls

This is very interesting place.This is situated in the middle of the mountain.This cave is no longer but the whole Rajgir is looking very beautiful from this place.

This place is magical. I can see this place from my home, then also I can't stop my feet from going there. It takes 1 and half hour to reach here, still I am helpless! Every Saturday at 4:30 am, I start my journey to experience some boredom. And this place always disappoints me by always giving fresh, extraordinary feelings. I have no idea whether I'll stop going or start residing there. It's been 7 years now! I close my eyes and I find myself just outside the cave. No one should have such attachments, I hope to forget it! 🙄😄😄

Saptaparni Cave is situated in Vaibhabgiri Hill at Rajgir ,Bihar .
Hare the First Buddhist Council held

Site of First Buddhist Council, 3 months after the Buddha’s passing.

You need at least an hour to reach the cave and return. Be ready to climb a lot!

At a distance of 4 km from Rajgir Railway Station, Saptaparni Cave is a Buddhist cave situated on Vaibhavgiri Hill in Rajgir, Bihar. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Bihar and among the must-visit Rajgir Tourist Places.

Saptparni Cave, also referred to as Sapta Parni Guha, literally Seven-leaves-cave is an important Buddhist cave site as it is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha spent some time before his death. And, this is also the site where the first Buddhist council was held after Buddha's parinirvana. It is here that a council of 500 monks decided to appoint Ananda (Buddha's cousin) and Upali, to deliver Buddha's teachings for the future generations after Buddha's death. The Buddha never wrote down his teachings. After the Saptaparni Caves meeting, Ananda created an oral tradition of Buddha's teaching from his memory, prefacing it with 'Thus have I heard on one occasion'. Upali is credited with reciting the Vinaya (discipline), or 'rules for the Bhikshus'.

A Magadha ruler named Ajatshatru also built a Sabha Mandap in front of these caves, which was used for the first Buddhist council. Today, the cave is a popular site that attracts thousands of tourists every year from across the world. A 20-minute uphill hike from the back of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple takes you past Jain and Hindu temples to this atmospheric cave and natural rock platform, where Buddha is said to have meditated.

Timings: 6 AM - 4 PM

Entry: Free

It's a great trek up to the cave. The view is really good. Best time to go, would be in the morning (or afternoon during winters)
It will take about half an hour to reach the top, and you can spend about 15 minutes more to see the caves themselves; but it is the journey, more than the destination, which makes this place worth visiting

Saptaparni Caves, also known as the Saptaparni Guha or the Sattapanni Guha literally means the seven-leaves-cave. This Buddhist cave is considered as the place where Buddha resided here for some time before his death and also as the place where the first-ever Buddhist Council was held after Buddha’s death.

Being one of the most famous places to visit in Rajgir, the Saptaparni Caves can be reached by taking a 40-minute uphill hike from the backside of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. You can also visit the Hindu and Jain temples near the caves. You can also enjoy the beautiful atmosphere nearby and relax on the natural rock platforms. It is said that Lord Buddha meditated in the caves and you can also enjoy the peace and spiritual vibes of the place.

Here you will go free no any tickets is used.
This is a good place. So you have to come to rajgir and visit there. If you come to bihar then you also visit to rajgir.

Must visit place to see the beauty

The Saptaparni Caves are situated on the Vaibhava Hill and are said to be the place where the first Buddhist Council were held. This council was held here after six months after the 'Mahaparinirvana' of Buddha. This council was attended by over 500 monks and was led by Buddha's chief disciple namely Maha Kashyapa. A Magadha ruler named Ajatshatru also built a Sabha Mandap in front of these caves, which was used for this assembly.

Buddhist caves
During the time of the Buddha (c. 563/480 or c. 483/400 BCE), Buddhist monks were also in the habit of using natural caves, such as the Saptaparni Cave, southwest from Rajgir, Bihar. Many believe it to be the site in which Buddha spent some time before his death,and where the first Buddhist council was held after the Buddha died (paranirvana).The Buddha himself had also used the Indrasala Cave for meditation, starting a tradition of using caves, natural or man-made, as religious retreats, that would last for over a millennium.

Monasteries

The first monasteries, such as the Jivakarama vihara in Rajgir, Bihar, were built from the time of the Buddha, in the 6th or 5th centuries BCE. The initial Jivakarama monastery was formed of two long parallel and oblong halls, large dormitories where the monks could eat and sleep, in conformity with the original regulations of the samgha, without any private cells. Other halls were then constructed, mostly long, oblong building as well, which remind of the construction of several of the Barabar caves, the Buddha is said to have been treated once in the monastery, after having been injured by Devadatta.

Stupas

Religious buildings in the form of the Buddhist stupa, a dome shaped monument, started to be used in India as commemorative monuments associated with storing sacred relics of the Buddha, the relics of the Buddha were spread between eight stupas, in Rajagriha, Vaishali, Kapilavastu, Allakappa, Ramagrama, Pava, Kushinagar, and Vethapida.The Piprahwa stupa also seems to have been one of the first to be built. Guard rails —consisting of posts, crossbars, and a coping— became a feature of safety surrounding a stupa. The Buddha had left instructions about how to pay hommage to the stupas: "And whoever lays wreaths or puts sweet perfumes and colours there with a devout heart, will reap benefits for a long time", this practice would lead to the decoration of the stupas with stone sculptures of flower garlands in the Classical period.

1.Saptaparni cave
2.Vishwa Shanti Stupa at Rajgir, one of the 80 Peace Pagodas around the world.
3.Remains of the Jivakarama vihara.
4.The Visit of Indra to the Buddha in the Indrasaila cave. The Buddha is symbolized by his throne. Wild animal are depicted around the cave (Stupa 1 Northern Gateway, Sanchi. 1st century BCE/CE).
5.The famous carved door of Lomas Rishi cave, dated to approximately 250 BC, making it the first known Maurya relief.

First Buddhist council took place at this place. You have to walk atleadt 30 min to reach this place from road side. Apart from nice view you have a silent atmosphere here.