Vishwa Shanti Stupa

Vishwa Shanti Stupa is a large white peace pagoda situated atop Ratnagiri Hill in Rajgir, Nalanda district, Bihar. Built by the Japanese Buddhist organization Nipponzan Myohoji and inaugurated in 1969, it is one of seven Shanti Stupas in India. The 38-meter high dome enshrines four gilded Buddha statues depicting birth, enlightenment, teaching and nirvana, and offers panoramic views of Rajgir hills and valley.

Visitors can expect a hilltop white marble stupa with a large dome and four golden Buddha statues in different postures on its outer walls. The site is reached via a chairlift ropeway or a steep stairway through forested hills. The surroundings offer panoramic views of Rajgir town, valleys and surrounding hills including Griddhakuta. The area is quiet and used for sightseeing, photography and meditation, with open paved areas around the stupa to walk and view the landscape.

Conceived by Japanese Buddhist monk Nichidatsu Fujii, founder of Nipponzan Myohoji, and built with support of Japanese Buddhists. Construction began in 1965 and the stupa was inaugurated in 1969 by then President of India Zakir Husain and Fujii. It is one of about 80 Peace Pagodas built worldwide to promote non-violence and world peace, and one of seven in India.

An important Buddhist pilgrimage site symbolizing world peace and non-violence. The four Buddha images represent key life events of Gautama Buddha. Located near Griddhakuta Hill where Buddha is believed to have preached, it attracts Buddhist devotees and tourists and reflects Indo-Japanese Buddhist cultural collaboration.