Visitors to Rajgir would have more than just the Nalanda ruins, the Vishwa Shanti Stupa or the Gridhakuta Hill on their must-see list.

The ambitious Pandu Pokhar development project is set to be complete by March, catapulting Rajgir's tourism potential to a new high. The project envisages development of tourism-centric amenities, including renovation of the old pond with development of infrastructure. A few of the major plans under this project include a 4.5m-wide jogging track, children playing area, food and beverage counters with seating arrangements and other facilities. A lush green park with a bhool bhulaiya (maze) is also being developed as a part of the project.

The Bihar State Road Development Corporation Limited (BSRDCL), the executing agency, is developing the project site across 22 acres in front of Rajgir International Convention Centre, utilising funds to the tune of Rs 16.22 crore. The project primarily falls under the domain of the tourism department. The Union tourism ministry, in the 2013-14 fiscal, had sanctioned Rs 11.11 crore for this project.

Senior officials of BSRDCL said the work on the project started in late 2013. 'Around 90 per cent of the civil work has been completed and we intend to complete the project by the end of March. All civil structures in this project are being given the brick design, similar to the ancient Nalanda ruins. The main attraction of this project would be the renovated pond with boating facility, the children playing area and the three food and beverages counter,' said Bablu Kumar, deputy general manager (technical) at the central project implementation unit of BSRDCL.

Senior officials in the tourism department also seemed upbeat with the Pandu Pokhar project taking shape. Umashankar Prasad, director at the tourism department, claimed that the plan of laser, sound and light shows at Pandu Pokhar is also in the pipeline. 'The developed Pandu Pokhar would turn out to be a major tourist attraction in Rajgir. We have high hopes with the project. Accordingly, a laser, light and sound show would be proposed once the site is ready,' said Prasad.

The Pandu Pokhar site faces the majestic Vaibhav Giri mountain towards its right. The convention centre falls on its left. Vaibhav Giri is considered to be historically rich.

'According to historical texts, the first Buddhist Council is believed to have been held here. Lord Buddha is also believed to have come here. Ancient Buddhist stupas, and temples are also situated atop this mountain,' said Deepak Anand, heritage consultant at Nav Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda.

The BSRDCL deputy general manager said one of the most attractive features of the Pandu Pokhar project would be a 30-feet statue of Maharaj Pandu. Historians, however, seem divided on the identity of Maharaj Pandu. Some claim it is because of the location of the old pond surrounded by five hills, popularly known as Pandav Mountains at Rajgir. Other historians correlate the name Pandu with the Mahabharat. Some structures in Rajgir such as Jarasandh ki Baithak and Jarasandha ka Akhara are still connected with the name of Jarasandha, the king of Magadh in the time of the Mahabharat war.

The Vishwa Shanti Stupa and Gridhakuta Hill are the other two major tourist attractions of Rajgir.

The Vishwa Shanti Stupa is the tallest peace pagoda in the world. It houses four statues of Lord Buddha on four corners of the stupa. Lord Buddha, it is believed, frequented the Gridhakuta Hill as well.