Griddhakuta

Griddhakuta, also known as Vulture Peak, is a hill in Rajgir, in the Indian state of Bihar. The name derives from the Sanskrit griddha (vulture) and kuṭa (hill). The hill rises prominently above the surrounding plains and has long been a focal point of Buddhist pilgrimage and meditation.

In Buddhist literature, Griddhakuta is described as a place where the Buddha delivered sermons to his followers and to large assemblies of bodhisattvas and monks. The site features a rocky summit that modern visitors reach by a stepped path, and it hosts a small temple complex and statues honoring the Buddha. In Mahayana tradition, the hill is associated with the preaching of the Lotus Sutra, which is said to have been expounded there before an audience of many beings.

Today, Griddhakuta lies within the Rajgir area of Nalanda district and is part of Bihar's Buddhist heritage. It remains a popular pilgrimage site for Buddhists and a destination for cultural tourism, often visited in conjunction with nearby Buddhist ruins at Rajgir and the historic Nalanda University site. The site is maintained with religious monuments, and visitors may explore the surrounding landscape that offers views over the region.