Vaishali District

On our trip to Patna market, we had two friends came along who then invited us for an outing to Vaishali District that weekend. The Emory girls and I were 4 so this plus 2 means a few too many for your standard Indica (here) so we stuffed ourselves in 2 in the front and 4 in the back and set off on the 2+ hour car ride to see the sights.

Sight 1: The taxi. Did not. Show up. But we were supposed to wait on Boring Road and not at the guesthouse because no one knew how to get the taxi to our place. So, we waited outside and checked out the seen at 6am on a Saturday on the roadside. Turns out there is a small group of guys who like to hang in front of Café Coffee Day and, talk? And the Chai-wala is there making his chai. Lots of people to stare at you still and if you stare back for long enough, they will eventually walk away… and wait until you are not looking to stare some more. Then again, we were a bit of a sight.

We made it! The Vshwa Shanti Stupa or World Peace Pagoda seems to be the sight to see in Vaishali District. According the wiki, some of Buddha’s relics have been enshrined in the foundation and the chhatra of the Stupa (here).

The water by the stupa is the “coronation tank,” filled with water believed to be sacred. Vaishali’s elected officials were anointed by the water here before swearing in. 

Trees by the stupa.

We had to take off our shoes to walk around the stupa. And that marble was HOT! We stuck close to walls to stay in the shadows when we could.

Our friends going for a paddle boat ride in the waters by the stupa.

Alexi went down first to take a picture of the group. So I took a picture of her first. :)

Outside of the museum we saw the stupa from a different angle, across the tank. But wouldn't you know it, I'd been here before! Yep, last November we drove through this place and stood right here at sunset. And I took this same picture. Who would have thought I'd make it back here of all places in India?? 

The Ashokan Pillar, built at Kolhua from a single piece of red sandstone with a life sized lion at the top. This is the only pillar without an Ashokan edict written on it.

Alexi, the photographer. 

Here I am!

Ali hiding in the sunflowers...