[3][4][5] The location, on the outside of Rajagriha in Nalanda district in the Indian state of Bihar, just below the Gijjhakuta hill, was originally a mango orchard which was donated to the sangha by the famous royal doctor Jivaka, who was in the service of king Bimbisara.

[3] Jivaka built a monastery on the location and also donated it to the sangha.

[3][7] The initial monastery was formed of two long parallel and oblong halls, large dormitories where the monks could eat and sleep, in conformity with the original regulations of the sangha, without any private cells.

[3][8] The archaeological evidence point to a very early construction for this vihara, probably circa 530-400 BCE.

[3] The construction method (rubble foundation) and artifacts discovered on the spot, such as iron nails, terracotta balls or coarse red pottery all point to a date no later than the 5th century BCE.