Drive to Bodhgaya and visit Rajgir and Nalanda on the way. Rajgir (named Rajgrih earlier, meaning the House of the King) was the first capital of the kingdom of Magadha and dates back to more than 1000 BC. Rajgir is where Buddha held the “Atanatiya” conference at the Gridhra-kuta. It is also where Lord Mahavir spent fourteen years of his life at Rajgir (and Nalanda). The place is hence, holy for both the Buddists and the Jains.
Rajgir is also sacred for the Hindus for its Brahmakund – hot water springs. The places of interest are the Bimbisar's Jail, the Ajatshatru's Fort, the Jarasandh'sAkhara and Rajgir Heritage Museum.
Up next is Nalanda – an ancient centre for studies from 5th century AD till the late 12th century AD and was the academic hub for scholars, students and teachers from all over India and other countries. Nalanda University was the world’s first residential universities accommodating over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers. HuenTsiang, the famous Chinese traveler has left his glowing account of the activities here.
There are several monasteries and temples and museum to keep antiquities recovered from the site. Drive to Bodhgaya for overnight.