Maniyar Math - Tourist attraction in Rajgir - Nalanda, India

Maniyar Math is one of the most important archaeological sites and also a site with which multiple layers of religious legends are associated.

It is a well-like structure which might have contained some artifacts in the past.. But now due to weathering and other factors the. Motifs have faded.. This place doesn't attract a lot of tourists but has an amazing view from the top.

An old temple cylindrical well like structure dedicated to local pantheon of Naga cult located in the old city of Rajgir in the path from Brahmkunda To Viswa Shanti stupa.

Maniyar Math, Indian Buddhist SiteManiyar Math occupies a prominent position inside the valley of Rajgir. Situated almost in the centre of the enclosure of the inner city on the way to the Sone Bhandar caves, there is this cylindrical well-like structure of archaeological importance. It is situated 1km from the Warm Water Spring. This well is covered by a small temple of the Jains. It is not dedicated to a Jain Tirthankara but to Naga Salibhadra who is said amongst the Jains buried his treasure inside the well. Jains offer their worship at this place to the presiding deity. Maniyar Math is also called the 'Nirman Koop' of Queen Chelanna and Sheelbhadra in Jain literature. Ajatshatru's mother Chelanna was the princess of Videh (Vaishali). Maniyar Math is also believed to be the place of Yagna of Buddhist era. It is constructed of cylindrical bricks. It is an amazing example of art of Gupta period (320 - 550 AD). This place was built in the memory of Naga Salibhadra. It is said that he got his treasure buried in this well. In 1861-62, General Cunningham got this place excavated. In the excavation, many statues were found at the depth of 19 feet. Historians believe that these statues were of the period from 1st - 6th Century AD. Pali Scripture, "Sanyukta Nikay" has it described as 'Manimaal-Chaitya', where Lord Buddha had a dialogue with Manibhadra Yaksha. Maniyar Math is one of the most important archaeological sites and also a site with which multiple layers of religious legends are associated. This structure has been created in the shape of a stupa and has been provided shelter through a conical corrugated iron shade. It has been named after a small shrine that was discovered here in an excavation held at the site. The architectural feature of which has a rare kind of association of the local pantheon of cult of Naga. The name 'Mani Naga' was found inscribed over a deified Naga sculpture found in this site.

Survey showed that this place was originally a worshipping area of the local pantheon of Naga cult. This site is no doubt one of the most important archaeological sites of Bihar. Sir Alexander Cunningham a British archaeologist known as the father of the Archaeological Survey of India found a Jain temple, named Maniar Matth, on top of a mound in 1861. The survey showed that this place was originally a worshipping area of the local pantheon of Naga cult. The name 'Mani Naga' (the Bejewelled Snake) was found inscribed over a deified Naga (snake) sculpture found in this site. Large pots with unique snake hooded spouts were also found in the excavation of the site. The unique structure of this site reveals two segments with one cylindrical well like structure at the center and a walled platform structure built around it. The badly damaged stucco images on the wall space have become difficult to recognize properly. It appears from the excavated remains that through the passage of time, different religious sects like the Nagas, Hindus, Buddhists and Jains have made this a significant place of worship.

ManIYAR MATH LOCATED ALMOST AT THE CENTRE OF THE OLD CITY OF RAJAGIRHA, THIS ANCIENT SITE MAY BE IDENTIFIED WITH THE 'MANIMALA CHAITYA' MENTIONED IN PALI TEXTS OR THE SHRIN E OF MANI-NAGA REFERRED TO IN MAHABHARATA.THE MAIN ATTRACTION ISA WELL-LIKE STRUCTURE MADE OF 1.20 MTR. THICK WALL WITH A DIA OF 3.00 MTR. APPROXIMATELY. THE EXTERIOR PROVIDES NICHES CONTAINING 0.60 MTR. HIGH STUCC O IMAGES OF A LINGA DECORATED WITH GARLAND, FOUR-ARMED VISHNU, NAGI-IMAGE, GANESHA TWISTED WITH SNAKES AROUND HIS BODY AND SIX-ARMED DANCING SHIVA. UNFORT UNATELY MOST OF THE MAGES HAVE NO W DISAPPEARED. FROM THEIR ART-STYLE THE IMAGES BELONG TO GUPTA PERIOD THE FIFTH CENTURY A.D. THE MINOR STRUCTURES SUCH AS ALTER PLATFORMS AND SHRINES ETC. SEEM TO BE CONSTRICTED FOR RELIGIOUS AND RITUAL PURPOSE RELATED TO SERPENT WORSHIP.

Couldn't relate to the mythical story of the Guide.

Very old ancient monument. This is well like structure. May be old huge math existing at this place.