Patna : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today unveiled the Emperor Jarasandha Memorial in Rajgir, Nalanda district, marking a significant tribute to the legendary warrior of the Mahabharata era.
The memorial, located within Jaiprakash Udyan, features a 21-foot-high symbolic statue of Emperor Jarasandha. Following the inauguration, the Chief Minister paid homage to the statue by offering flowers and garlanding it. He also inspected murals depicting Jarasandha’s life, a dedicated information centre, and a water conservation structure within the complex. During his visit, Kumar stressed the need for proper maintenance of the entire memorial site.
Speaking at the event, Nitish Kumar reflected on his long-standing association with Rajgir. “I have been visiting Rajgir since childhood. After assuming office, I spent seven days here in 2009, touring all the important sites. Since then, we have worked to develop the historical and religious landmarks of Rajgir. However, Emperor Jarasandha’s original arena could not be renovated due to restrictions imposed by the Archaeological Survey of India,” he said.
As an alternative, the state government decided to construct the memorial near Jaradevi Temple and Jaiprakash Udyan, a project announced on November 27 2022. The construction began in 2023, with the Chief Minister personally inspecting the progress on multiple occasions.
Nitish Kumar highlighted the historical significance of Emperor Jarasandha, describing him as a formidable warrior and skilled wrestler. Acknowledging the deep cultural reverence for Jarasandha among Bihar’s Chandravanshi community, he noted that the state government had officially initiated the annual Jarasandha Mahotsav in 2023.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Dr Sunil Kumar, who welcomed the Chief Minister with a bouquet, and department secretary Bandana Preyasi, who presented him with a memento. Other notable attendees included Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Cooperation Minister Dr Prem Kumar, MPs Sanjay Kumar Jha and Kaushlendra Kumar, along with senior officials and public representatives.
