| Lilājan River Niranjana River | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| State | Jharkhand andBihar |
| Cities | Jori,Hunterganj,Bodh Gaya |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Simaria |
| • location | Chatra district |
| Mouth | Falgu River |
• location | Gaya district |
• coordinates | 24°43′41″N85°00′47″E / 24.72806°N 85.01306°E /24.72806; 85.01306 |
TheLilājan River (also known by its Sanskrit name:Nirañjanā) is a river that flows through theChatra andGaya districts in theIndianstates ofJharkhand andBihar. It is also referred to as theNilanjan,Niranjana orFalgu River.[1]
The Lilājan begins its journey north ofSimaria inChatra district on theHazaribagh plateau, the western portion of which constitutes a broad watershedbetween theDamodar drainage on the south and the Lilājan andMohana rivers on the north. It flows through a deep and rocky channel until it reaches the neighbourhood of Jori. There the hills begin to recede and the stream flows sluggishly over a wide sandy bed. From this point to theGaya border beyondHunterganj the river becomes sandy. It is dry in summer but disastrous during the rains. About 10 kilometres (6 mi) south ofGaya it unites with theMohana River to form theFalgu River.[3][4]
The water falls into adah or natural reservoir in the Lilājan River. It is 11 kilometres (7 mi) west ofChatra – about half the distance is motorable, while the rest is only able to be traversed on foot.[5]
Before attaining Enlightenment, the princeSiddhārtha Gautama practiced asceticism for six years (ten or twelve years according to some accounts) on the banks of the river, residing in a forest near the village ofUruvilvā. After realizing that strict asceticism would not lead to Enlightenment, he recuperated after bathing in the river and receiving a bowl ofmilk-rice from the milkmaidSujātā.
He sat under the nearbypippala tree, where he finally achieved Enlightenment. This tree became known as theBodhi Tree, and the site became known asBodh Gayā.[6]