Jivaka's Mango Grove

Jivaka's Mango Grove is an ancient archaeological site in Rajgir, Nalanda district, Bihar, associated with Jivaka, the royal physician of King Bimbisara. He donated his mango orchard to the Buddha and the Sangha in the 6th-5th century BCE. The site contains foundations and ruins of monasteries where the Buddha is believed to have stayed and taught. It is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage and heritage site near the Rajgir hills.

Visitors can expect an open archaeological park with exposed brick foundations, low walls and outlines of ancient monastic dwellings set in a quiet, tree-dotted landscape. The site is largely open ground with scattered ruins, informational signage, and pathways for walking and viewing. It is a tranquil, low-development site focused on sightseeing, photography and understanding its Buddhist historical context, located close to other Rajgir heritage sites.

The grove belonged to Jivaka, physician to King Bimbisara of Magadha (6th-5th century BCE) and later to the Buddha. According to Buddhist texts, Jivaka donated his mango grove to the Buddha and the monastic Sangha for their residence. The site contains archaeological remains of monasteries and dwellings dating to early Buddhist period, marking it as one of the places where the Buddha stayed during his visits to Rajgir (ancient Rajagriha), the capital of Magadha.

The site holds importance for Buddhists as a donated monastery associated directly with the life of the Buddha. It represents the tradition of patronage to the Sangha and is part of the sacred landscape of Rajgir, which is revered in Buddhism. It is visited by pilgrims and heritage travelers as part of the Buddhist circuit in Bihar.