Gautama Buddha gave many of his sermons at Gridhrakuta, a hill near:

Gridhrakuta, also known as "Vulture's Peak", is a hill near Rajgir (ancient Rajagriha), in the Nalanda district of Bihar, where the Buddha delivered many of his sermons.

About Gridhrakuta:

• "Gridhra" means vulture and "kuta" means peak; the hill is named either because of its shape, which resembles a vulture, or because vultures lived there.
• It was one of the Buddha's favourite places for meditation and teaching.
• According to Mahayana tradition, the Buddha delivered important sermons here, including the "Lotus Sutra" and the "Heart Sutra" (Prajnaparamita).
• King Bimbisara is said to have built a road (the "Bimbisara Road") up the hill to visit the Buddha.
• Remains of brick terraces and caves used for meditation can still be seen on the hill.

Rajgir and the Buddha:

• Rajgir was an important city in the Buddha's time.
• The Buddha spent several rainy seasons here.
• King Bimbisara gifted the Venuvana (Bamboo Grove) to the Buddha and his monks; it was one of the first gifts of land to the Sangha.
• The first Buddhist Council was held at the Saptaparni cave near Rajgir.

Rajgir in Jainism:

Mahavira spent many rainy seasons at Rajgir, and it is an important Jain pilgrimage place.

Places associated with the Buddha:

• Shravasti: the Buddha spent the most rainy seasons here, at the Jetavana monastery.
• Sarnath: the place of the first sermon.
• Vaishali: the place where women were first admitted to the Sangha, and where the Buddha announced his approaching death.

Rajgir today:

• It has the Vishwa Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda) on the Ratnagiri hill, connected by a ropeway.
• It is known for its hot springs (Brahmakund).
• A new "Rajgir Sports Complex" and a state sports university have been built there.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Shravasti is where the Buddha spent the most rainy seasons.
• ✗Sarnath is where he gave his first sermon.
• ✗Vaishali is the capital of the Lichchhavis.