During his visits to Rajagriha, Buddha used to stay at Veluvana and after having his only meal for the day, he would pace the path up to Griddhakuta. Buddha was drawn to the solitude of Griddhakuta. It is mentioned that despite mara’s attempts to frighten Buddha, he visited Griddhakuta on several occasions, sometimes even in the dark or during rain. King Bimbisara was very fond of Buddha and enjoyed his company. He frequently visited Griddhakuta for Buddha’s teachings and to discuss matters related to fair governance. His counsel built a wide road from the bottom of the hill to the summit and the present concrete pathway is paved over the old ‘Bimbisara Path.’ This path has two stupas, one to mark the place where King Bimbisara dismounted from his horse and another at the spot where he used to order his ministers and bodyguards to stay back as he continued alone to the peak of this solitary hill. The most important event associated with Griddhakuta Hill is when the Buddha after his enlightenment set forth the Second Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma. The Prajnaparamita hrdaya Sutra (The Heart of the Perfection of Understanding) and the Saddharma-Pundarika Sutra (Lotus Sutra), are considered second turning teachings delivered here. Xuanzang offered prayer at a stupa in Griddhakuta that marked the place where Buddha delivered the Heart Sutra for the first time. As mentioned in the Mahaparinirvana Sutra; Buddha began his final footsteps to attain Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagara from Griddhakuta. In his last sermon to the Sangha of Rajagriha and its surroundings, Buddha urged the monks to follow the Dhamma. The last teachings of the Buddha delivered here at Griddhakuta are preserved in the Bhikkhu-aparihaniya Sutta (Conditions for no decline among the Monks).