Cynthia Thanda

Some places are not meant to be introduced through books, lectures and discussions. They are meant to be experienced and lived, and it was through my visit to Panch Pahadi Mandir in Rajgir that I was introduced to a different India – one that cannot be understood entirely from a classroom. Here, history wasn’t about paging through a book; I was part of the history.

After dumping our water bottles in our bags and boarding an auto to a hill I had heard stories of but never been to, we were all chatting with excitement for the journey ahead. I was enthusiastic like a child and a bit overconfident because I had climbed a hill before: Kgale Hill, Gaborone, in 2022. Little did I know I was about to have such a humbling experience.

When we started the climb, the chatter became faint as we began taking on the 580 stairs leading up the hill. We began pairing off, while some of us would sit under the trees, trying to catch our breath. This was a much-needed reminder for some of us to hit the gym.

The hill revealed its history one step at a time. Through its pathways, we were welcomed by the sounds of nature, a beauty God had created. The cool air whispered as we went up, slowly singing to us with such a melody that made our spirits come alive. The quiet corners watched us with peace and calm, while the Jain Temple and Shiva Temple stood with such grace and reverence. The landscape itself was a spiritual experience.

Catherine Sumo, a Liberian studying IRPS at Nalanda University, stared at the green vegetation with a smile while tears fell from her eyes. She explained that she felt peace and was happy to witness God’s creation; an experience that made her feel connected to her inner self.

As for me, this wasn’t just an encounter with a landscape where faith, history and nature seemed interconnected; it was a reminder of the remarkable history India continues to share and a home that was bringing different nationals to experience its cup of tea. As I moved through the site, I felt less like a visitor and more like a historian, walking in the footsteps of generations that had stepped on these same hills in search of something spiritual.

What makes Rajgir remarkable is that its history cannot be confined to one religion or one period. The same landscape carries memories of ancient Magadha, Jain traditions and Buddhism. Panch Pahadi therefore felt to me less like a single religious monument and more like a living historical landscape.

As we went deeper into the hill, I found myself crawling into a cave – a brave action I took. Inside, I felt a sense of serenity, although the bats quietly stared at me; a stranger who had intruded into their home. The amazing bhaiya (brother), who was kind enough to show us around the hill, expressed how happy he was to be part of the experience with us and that he hadn’t felt such joy in a while. This brought tears to my eyes, reminding me how we can be someone’s happiness and that no matter where we are, nature can bring us together into a family.

What fascinated me most was that the temple is not isolated from its surroundings. The mountains are part of the story. Panch Pahadi is associated with five hills, each carrying centuries of religious memory. Standing among them, I began to understand why Rajgir has remained an important pilgrimage landscape for so long.

PHAM THI MY DUYEN, from Vietnam and studying M.A. in Sanskrit at Nalanda University, shared her wonderful journey.

“I come from Vietnam, and one of the things that made this experience especially meaningful was meeting students from many different countries and cultural backgrounds, including India, Bangladesh, African countries, and Vietnam. Although many of us were strangers at the beginning, as we spent time together during the journey, we gradually became friends,” she said.

She further explained that as we climbed the mountain together, encouraged and supported one another along the way, and took many photographs to capture the beautiful moments. After spending the whole week attending classes and studying, it was refreshing to step away from our academic routine, enjoy nature, and simply spend time together. The journey was filled with conversations, laughter, and many small moments that made the experience memorable.

“For me, the visit was not simply a mountain-climbing trip. Gṛdhrakūṭa is a place of great historical and spiritual significance, particularly in Buddhist tradition. As a student of Sanskrit, I found it especially meaningful to be in a place connected with India’s rich religious and cultural heritage. We also had the opportunity to see and learn more about historical and spiritual sites in the area, such as stupas and caves.”

“What I enjoyed most was the cultural exchange among us. During the journey, we talked about our countries, cultures, traditions, and religious beliefs, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and other traditions. Even though we came from different parts of the world, we were able to learn from one another and appreciate both our differences and our similarities.”

“I felt very happy and grateful to meet new friends from different countries and different academic backgrounds. Experiences like this remind me that studying at an international university is not only about learning from books and classrooms. It is also about meeting people, sharing cultures, supporting one another, and creating meaningful memories together,” she said as we all took photos together with big smiles on our faces.

“When you’re in good company, any destination becomes a memorable experience. The memories we create along the way become etched in our hearts, cherished for a lifetime,” said Ritesh Kumar, an IRPS student at Nalanda University, as we all descended from the hill, with exhausted bodies but enlightened spirits.