Abhishek Pushkarini

Abhishek Pushkarini, also known as the Coronation Tank, is an ancient sacred reservoir in Vaishali, Bihar, associated with the Licchavi republic. Located near the Vaishali archaeological complex, it is believed to have been used for the ritual anointment of elected Licchavi chiefs. Excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India, the brick-lined tank is linked to Buddha's visits to Vaishali and remains a significant historical and pilgrimage site.

Visitors can expect a large, rectangular brick-lined ancient tank filled with water, surrounded by open grounds and archaeological remains. The site is calm and open, with stepped ghats leading to the water, informational signage, and views of nearby stupas and ruins. It is primarily a sightseeing and photography spot within the Vaishali archaeological zone, offering a quiet historical environment rather than recreational facilities.

Abhishek Pushkarini is believed to date to the 6th-5th century BCE and is associated with the Licchavi republic, one of the early republican states in ancient India. Tradition holds that the elected representatives and chiefs of the Licchavi clan were anointed with water from this sacred tank before coronation. The tank was excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India and revealed brick embankments. It is also linked to the time of Gautama Buddha, who visited Vaishali several times.

The tank holds cultural and religious significance for Buddhists and Jains due to its association with Vaishali, an important centre in both traditions. For Buddhists, Vaishali is where Buddha delivered his last sermon and where the Second Buddhist Council is traditionally associated. The sacred water of the Pushkarini is considered auspicious and the site is visited by pilgrims as part of the Vaishali pilgrimage circuit.