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Home , Bodh Gaya, Butwal, Gotihawa, Lumbini, Nepal, Sarnath

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The Greater Area religious and archaeological sites Explore the greater Lumbini

Lumbini can be reached by a 30 During the winter months the Most hotels and guesthouses for minute local flight from ’s is often covered by fog, the climate all tastes are located to the East of to Bhairahawa. is damp, and the temperature can Lumbini . sagrahawa The 280 kilometre journey by road drop to single figures. can stay at one of the numerous >page 18 takes approximately 8 hours. The . nearest international border crossing The most pleasant times of the niglihawa to is at Bhairahawa - Sunauli. year are the months of February Renting a vehicle is the best way chAtradei >page 16 and November. On a clear day, it is to access the archaeological sites > page 19 The climate of the region is dictated possible to look northwards across within a day but sportive travellers araurakot > page 17 by the . The summers the , past the foothills of the might use . can be incredibly hot and humid, Siwaliks and see the > page 14 reaching temperatures of over 40oC. rising in the distance.

taulihawa

Kudan > page 20 > page 13

Gotihawa 32 KM to > page 21 ramagrama The following itineraries start and end at Lumbini: >page 23 karma >page 12 à itinerary 1 itinerary 2 itinerary 4 Lumbini tour, including the Sacred Tilaurakot including brief stops in Vist all sites west of Lumbini lumbini >page 10 Garden, the Devi , Karma and Dohani. 110 km round trip, 8+ hours sisanya Monastic Zones, Lumbini 63 km round trip, 4+ hours >page 22 Sacred and the . itinerary 5 garden You can either walk from the north itinerary 3 Ramagrama entrance to the Sacred Garden or Tilaurakot including Kudan and 64 km, 5+ hours use or rented bicycles. Ramagrama is only an 8 km round half to full day 70 km round trip, 6+ hours trip from the main highway between india Lumbini and Kathmandu.

0 1 2 3 4 5 10km

3 Introduction to the Greater Lumbini Area

© Mani Lama © Mani Lama © Durham University © UNESCO Chair, Durham University © Mani Lama Most of the current population of the More than 20 monasteries from as many Transportation within the GLA Hindu pilgrims in the Banganga River on full moon days Lotus in the circular pond around the region are Hindu and Muslim. countries have been established in Lumbini. Sacred Garden in Lumbini

The Greater Lumbini Area (gla) by several major rivers. These rivers practised small scale agriculture, and comprises the three Nepali flow southwards from the Siwalik had developed a natural resistance of Rupandehi, Nawalparasi and Hills before eventually merging with to malaria. From the mid- Kapilavastu, and is centred on the the River. The silts that are the forests of the Terai were slowly Heritage Site of deposited by annual floodwaters cleared for agriculture and industry, Lumbini. The gla contains hundreds from the rivers, are what make the and archaeological sites associated of archaeological sites, some of region so agriculturally rich, and why with were rediscovered. which are directly associated with people have been drawn to live here the life of the . sites for millennia. In 1967, the un Secretary-General U include Lumbini, where Lord Buddha Thant initiated a major international was born, Tilaurakot-Kapilavastu, the Whilst the Terai was the heartland campaign to develop and protect in which he spent the first 29 and origin of Buddhism, most of the Lumbini. This prompted the Nepali years of his life, and Ramagrama, one current population of the region are government to establish the Lumbini of the original eight Hindu and Muslim. In the eighteenth Development Trust (ldt) and today, which house his ashes. Tilaurakot and nineteenth centuries, the the ldt and the Department of and Ramagrama are on the tentative Terai was sparsely inhabited. The Archaeology share responsibilities list for unesco World Heritage dense forest and jungle acted as an for the management and protection Status. informal buffer between the British of the historic sites. © Mani Lama © Mani Lama Raj and the Hill States to the north. A in the sanctuary near the Local buses and ox carts still dominate the rural roads The gla lies within Nepal’s western The main population living in the Terai, a flat alluvial plain bisected Terai were Tharu. Local communities

4 5

© Mani Lama © Antoine Roulet © Ira Block © Mani Lama Dharmodaya Sabha Pilgrims at the Sacred Garden in Lumbini Nuns prostrating on the path leading to Ligthing of lamps the Sacred Garden.

When the Buddha was approaching pilgrimage to the region was that the journeys of these pilgrims was the end of his life, he advised his of Asoka, the Mauryan Emperor, in in many ways the genesis of the followers that there were four great 249 bce. He erected at least three archaeology of Buddhism in the places of pilgrimage associated pillars at Lumbini, Gotihawa and subcontinent. with his journey: Lumbini, where Niglihawa marking the birthplace of © Mani Lama he was born; , where he two Buddhas and the resting place After the rediscovery of many of Inside the Foundation Monastery achieved enlightenment; , of a third. these sites in the late 19th century, where he preached his first sermon; pilgrims began to slowly flow and Kushinagara, where he would However, much of our knowledge back to Lumbini and other sites. achieve his “Great Passing Away” or of pilgrimage and the sites in the U Thant’s desire to see Lumbini Mahaparinirvana. area is derived from the records developed now sees the gla visited of two Chinese pilgrims, by over one million people per Since then, Buddhists have been and . They travelled year, from Nepal and abroad. Many undertaking to the gla throughout much of South , of these people are on personal in order to worship in the footsteps including the Terai, in the fifth and spiritual journeys, while others are © Mani Lama of Lord Buddha. We now know seventh centuries ce respectively. here to learn more about the history Inside the Korean Temple that the first at Lumbini was They left detailed descriptions and values of Buddhism. constructed almost immediately of sites they visited and their after his death. The first recorded location in the landscape. Tracing

6 7 history of archaeological research

© UNESCO Chair, Durham University © Department of Archaeology, © Department of Archaeology, GoN © Mani Lama © Charles Allen of the 2016 archaeological excavations at Kudan Excavations inside the Maya Devi Temple in the 1990s. The Maya Devi Temple before excavations Asokan inscription on the Lumbini pillar The Asokan Pillar soon after the discovery in the 1990s of the early Brahmi inscription in 1896.

Lumbini was “rediscovered” in 1896 Asoka’s inscription. The translation of the site, and structures to and the Archaeological Survey of understand their development over Japanese Government, including when Dr Führer, Archaeological of the inscription clearly identified the north and west of the city. India, under the direction of Debala time. archaeological excavations, Surveyor of the Indian the site as Lumbini. The historic Mukherji was convinced that the Mitra. She courted controversy conservation of monuments and Northwestern Provinces and Oudh descriptions of Chinese pilgrims remains at the site of Tilaurakot by concluding that Tilaurakot was Whilst a Japanese team from Rissho development of management Circle, was invited by General were used to identify further sites represented Kapilavastu. He again no older than the second century University exposed a series of plans. This work undertaken by Khadga Shumsher J.B. Rana, the in the area, linking Tilaurakot with used the descriptions of Faxian and bce, and thus could not be ancient structures at Tilaurakot between the Department of Archaeology of Palpa, to undertake ancient Kapilavastu. Xuanzang to support his theory. Kapilavastu. 1967 and 1977, major international (Government of Nepal), Lumbini archaeological investigations interventions began in the 1990s. Development Trust and Durham close to his camp. Together they In 1899, P.C. Mukherji of the Whilst most people accepted In 1972 the Nepali archaeologist The Japanese Buddhist University now encompasses identified four , on the Archaeological Survey of India Tilaurakot as Kapilavastu, there B.K. Rijal began to expose and conducted a large scale excavation Tilaurakot, Kudan, Araurakot, largest of which stood a temple surveyed and excavated the ruins remained some doubt, stemming restore monuments at Lumbini, of the Maya Devi Temple, exposing Ramagrama and numerous other dedicated to the river at Tilaurakot. Mukherji recognized from differences in the descriptions identifying the first pre-Mauryan the brickwork that is visible today. sites in the gla. Through this, Rupa Devi. Führer re-identified the the wooded as the site of given by the two Chinese pilgrims. structure north of the Asokan The Italian archaeologist Giovanni remains of the earliest Buddhist statue of Rupa Devi as representing a rectangular fort protected by Pillar. He was followed by Tara Verardi reexcavated the stupa and shrine at Lumbini were discovered, Maya Devi giving birth to Gautama a wall and ditch. He cut sections Little archaeological work was Mishra, who conducted pillar at Gotihawa, as well as the and the establishment of Tilaurakot Buddha. Adjacent to the temple through the fortification wall and carried out in the Terai during the more systematic excavations at small settlement mound at Pipri. pushed back to at least 800bce. was a broken pillar rising about cleared the eastern gateway. He mid-twentieth century. In 1962, Lumbini and Tilaurakot during ten feet from the ground. Führer also confirmed the identification joint excavations were conducted the 1980s. Mishra developed In 2010 new work at the Maya and General Rana excavated the of the eastern stupa, the presence at Tilaurakot and Kudan by the chronological sequences for the Devi Temple was initiated by base of the pillar and uncovered of industrial activity to the south Nepali Department of Archaeology main sites, and focused on trying to unesco and funded by the

8 9 Lumbini

© UNESCO Chair, Durham University © Ira Block © Ira Block © UNESCO Chair, Durham University © UNESCO Chair, Durham University Aerial view of the Maya Devi Temple and Excavations inside the Maya Devi Temple The Asokan Pillar at Lumbini The nursery well in Lumbini Elevation of the interior of the Nursery Well, Sacred Garden showing the decorative

Lumbini is internationally same time as his mahaparanirvana, the pillars identifies the location recognised as the birthplace of or great passing away. Over time, as Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Lord Buddha. It was inscribed the timber fence was replaced by Buddha, which Asoka visited in the as a unesco World Heritage large kerb stones, and the twentieth year of his reign and that Site in 1997 in recognition of its surrounding area was paved with he exempted the local village from Outstanding Universal Value. In brick to create a prayer platform. taxes. particular, unesco identified that Lumbini is one of the most holy In 249 bce, when the Mauryan Eventually the temple was and significant places for one of Emperor Asoka made his pilgrimage expanded further, and by the the world’s great religions. to the site he built a small structure period (4th – 7th cent. ce) it of timber and mud, with an open was reconfigured as a seven-bayed The recent unesco project funded courtyard for the tree. The walls structure with carved and moulded by , revealed the presence of were covered in plaster and painted brick opening to the east. The © Ira Block the earliest Buddhist shrine – white, black, red and yellow. temple became fully enclosed, the Ceramic vessel discovered at the a simple timber fence enclosing a Shielded from the outside, the Marker Stone was buried and the Village Mound in Lumbini tree. This tree would have been centre of the structure remained tree was no longer present. We identified by the first pilgrims unroofed and open. The Marker do not know if it was a natural or as the tree under which Lord Stone later became a focal point deliberate end to the tree’s life. Buddha was born. Radiocarbon of worship. Asoka also erected a © Bridget Allchin dates indicate that this occurred at ten metre high pillar to the west Aerial view of the Sacred Garden taken in 1969 around 550 bce, broadly about the of the temple. The inscription on

10 11 Karma Dohani

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© Durham University © UNESCO Chair, Durham University © Durham University © UNESCO Chair, Durham University © UNESCO Chair, Durham University 1 The moat encircles the fort, and would View of the northwest corner bastion, 1 The corner bastions provided strength View of the excavation trench showing Subsurface geophysical survey have been about two metres deep and looking southeast and support to the fort. occupation pits and ceramic vessels. four metres wide. 2 The archaeological trench identified 2 The semi-circular bastions at each that the southern rampart was corner provide additional strength and constructed from clay with a brick support. The ramparts are constructed facing. It was about four metres wide, from clay – no brick was found with a shallow ditch on the outside. anywhere on the site. 3 The interior of the fort had over two 3 The interior of the fort was devoid of metres of occupation. any cultural material. 4 Auger cores picked up early cultural 4 The small modern Samai Mai Shrine is material, such as proto-Northern Black present on the northeast bastion. Polished Ware and Cord Impressed Ware at depths of nearly four metres here. It is possible that this was the site © Durham University Topographical map showing the distinctive of the early village. The results of the geophysical survey showing the © UNESCO Chair, Durham University bastions on each corner. distinct outline of a square fort below the surface.

Karma has been excavated in designed as stopping points for the Department of Archaeology A low rectangular mound, the 300 ce) forts in the region, such as earlier settlement. Possibly dating 2016/17 by a team from Durham pilgrims, officials and traders moving extracted auger core samples, no first formal investigation of the Araurakot and Karma. Dohani would back to 1000 bce, the pottery and University together with DoA. In between Lumbini and settlements cultural material was recovered. This site began with a subsurface have served as a stopping point material found in the lowest layers order to protect the archaeological to the west. The fort of Karma suggests that the fort may not have geophysical survey in 2016. This between Lumbini and settlements of Dohani are very similar to that remains, the trenches were later measures 49.5 x 43.5 metres and has been fully functional after it was revealed the presence of a square to the west. from Lumbini’s Village Mound. covered by earth. The small fort’s rounded bastions on each corner. constructed and that, unlike Dohani cardinally-oriented fort, complete Indeed, Dohani may be one of the layout is almost identical to that The ramparts are nearly two metres which was built over a pre-existing with rounded bastions on each Excavations and auger-coring in longest occupied sites in the Greater of Dohani. The two forts form a high, and the fort was surrounded settlement, it was founded on virgin corner. Measuring 50 x 50 m, its 2017 identified that the fort was Lumbini Area. To protect the direct line between Lumbini and by a two-metre-deep moat. When a land. fortifications share similarities with constructed from brick faced archaeological remains, the trenches Tilaurakot-Kapilavastu, and were team from Durham University and other Kushan period (100 bce – ramparts of clay on of an were backfilled again.

12 13 tilaurakot–Kapilavastu

© Durham University © Durham University © Durham University Hoard of 3rd century bce silver punch- View of the Eastern Stupa, looking south View of entrance to the central walled complex marked coins discovered at the monastic complex east of Tilaurakot.

Tilaurakot is recognised by most debate over the true location of roads running north-south and scholars as Kapilavastu, the city the city – Tilaurakot, or across the east-west and punctuated by small in which Lord Buddha spent the border at . Excavations squares or plazas. At the very centre first 29 years of his life. It was from by the Nepali archaeologists Rijal of the city is a walled complex, here that he left on his journey of and Mishra began to expose more of with gates at each cardinal point. spiritual enlightenment, departing the city, including the Western and Between 2012 and 2017 some of through the Eastern Gateway. Eastern Gateways, the fortification these structures were excavated, © Durham University walls and the Northern Stupas. including a small shrine, a deep Aerial view of Tilaurakot with the results of the geophysical survey The site was first discovered by However, recent unesco-led brick-lined water tank, parts of the overlain. The areas indicate streets, lanes and open spaces, whilst P.C. Mukherji in 1899, who traced archaeological investigations re- northern and eastern ramparts, the black and grey areas represent buildings, walls and structures. The the journey of the Chinese examined Mitra’s trench. Clay and large sections of the central walled areas are the fortification walls. This layout most likely dates to Xuanzang from Srvasti. Questions timber fortifications were exposed, complex, and some smaller buildings the Kushan period (1st century bce – 3rd century ce), and is one of the © Durham University most complete plans of an early historic city in . This plan, over the identification arose again with the earliest palisade dating and houses. Outside the city, a Close up of four of the silver punch- th replicated in brick during the Kushan Period, was first established in in the 1960s when Debala Mitra to the 6 century bce, and thus Mauryan Period monastery has been marked coins timber in the sixth century bce. excavated across the northern concurrent with the life of Lord discovered near the Eastern Stupa, rampart. She concluded that the Buddha. and an industrial zone to the south. site could be no earlier than the 2nd century bce, and thus could not be Geophysical surveys revealed the Kapilavastu. This instigated a long buried street plan of the city with

14 15 Niglihawa Araurakot

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➁ © Durham University © Department of Archaeology, GoN © Department of Archaeology, GoN © Durham University © Durham University 1 Niglihawa Pillar with inscriptions from Photographs of the pillar when it was discovered in 1895 1 The western rampart was probably constructed from View of the interior of the site, looking southeast Asoka and King Ripu Malla. It was at the side of the Niglisagar Pond (from Mitra 1972). clay dug out of the moat. moved to this location in 1996. 2 The southern rampart is faced with brick and has two 2 Niglisagar Pond where the pillar was distinctive stirrup bastions along it. found in 1895 by Dr Führer. The 3 The southwest platform is slightly raised and inscription was translated in 1896 by geophysical survey identified the presence of two Georg Bühler. structures below the surface. 4 The eastern rampart and gate was constructed from brick with three stirrup bastions. The gateway is visible The Asokan inscription at Niglihawa but badly eroded. 5 The double moat only survives on this side and “King Piyadasi, beloved of gods, having been represents a significant defensive structure. anointed 14 years, increased for the second © Durham University 6 The northern rampart was constructed from clay. There time the stupa of Buddha Konakamana and was an area of occupation outside the fort to the north. View of a stirrup bastion on the southern rampart having been anointed (20 years) he came himself and worshipped (and) caused (this stone pillar to be erected).” This fortified enclosure measures tion materials reflected the fact that ramparts as well as the presence of © UNESCO Chair, Durham University 270 x 270 m. The clay ramparts on Araurakot’s enemies were located five stirrup bastions. The survey also its south and west are encased in to the south and west. However, it revealed that the interior was largely The Mauryan Emperor Asoka of the pillar were rediscovered town of Kanakamuni Buddha, which brick, while those on the north and is equally possible that the site was empty, except for a raised platform erected an inscribed pillar in 249 bce, in 1895, the upper portion was Faxian indicates is about one yojana east are lower and unfaced. The only partially completed. The site’s in the southwest corner with foun- recording his veneration and half submerged in the bank of the (c. 11–14 km) west from the city of brick ramparts are strengthened by morphology bears a striking resem- dations of two buildings. Carved enlargement of the nirvana stupa of Niglisagar pond, while the lower Kapilavastu. However, Xuanzang stirrup bastions at regular intervals. blance to the early first millennium bricks similar to those from Lumbini, the earlier Kanakamuni Buddha, one part of the pillar was partially provides different directions and, Circular corner towers and a dou- ce military outposts found through- Kudan and Tilaurakot have been of the 27 Buddhas preceding Lord buried. As the base of the pillar and as such, the town’s location remains ble moat are to be found on the out the . Although recovered from the site, suggesting Buddha. The Chinese pilgrims Faxian plinth on which it once stood are unknown. Asoka’s pillar also bears a western side. In 1899 P.C. Mukherji there have been no excavations that it was occupied into the middle (5th cent. ce) and Xuanzang (7th cent. missing, its original location remains later inscription marking King Ripu started excavations for the Archae- within the site, a subsurface geo- of the first millennium ce. ce) also described their visits to unknown. Some scholars believe Malla’s visit in 1312 ce. ological Survey of India. He suggest- physical survey in 2015 confirmed the pillar and stupa. Two fragments that it was erected at the natal ed that the difference in construc- the different constructions of the

16 17 sagrahawa Chatradei

1 The tank from which the site gets its name. 2 Row of seven stupas. It is from here that the carved bricks were recovered by Mukherji. 3 Row of small stupas. ➄ 4 Führer and Mukherji described this as an ancient stupa, with a connected structure of twelve rooms measuring 2.7 x 3.0 metre in size. It was almost completely destroyed ➅ by excavations but looks similar in size, shape and form to ➀ ➁ ➃ ➂ ➀ the cruciform at Kudan. From the centre a copper casket containing bones, two gold naga statues, and semi- precious stones were recovered. ➆ ➂ ➁ 5 Mukherji reported the presence of some small ruins here. Unfortunately, very little survives today. 6 Mukherji reported that there were two small stupas and a small building here. © Durham University © Durham University © Mukherji © Durham University 1 Large mound. This is the location of the View of the excavations by Mukherji Auger-coring to the south of the main cruciform temple exposed by Mukherji. mound 2 Geophysics identified the presence of brick structures buried below the surface. 3 Not much is known about the smaller mound.

Elevation of one of the faces of the © Mukherji © Durham University © Mitra cruciform temple exposed by Mukherji in 1899. Mukherji’s site plan dated 1898 View over the Sagrahawa tank towards the east Designs on the carved bricks found within the foundations © Mukherji (redrawn from Mitra 1972)

Sagrahawa comprises of an expanse of the deaths of the – the previously exposed monuments are Today the site is densly covered by largest mound and a boundary wall cells to the front of the temple of large and small mounds, clustered people to which Lord Buddha’s now eroded and overgrown. vegetation and it is difficult to view to its south. His excavations on platform, an arrangement similar around a water tank. Excavations belonged - during the the large mound. the largest of the mounds exposed to that of the temples at Kudan, in 1896 by Dr Führer from the destruction of Kapilavastu by A subsurface geophysical survey in rectangular buildings decorated although the presence of carved Archaeological Survey of India Virudhaka, the King of 2016 identified a series of additional Excavations were first undertaken with carved brick. Later research by brick suggests an earlier date. exposed the remains of a large brick during the lifetime of the Buddha. buried brick structures around by the Indian archaeologist P.C. Debala Mitra of the Archaeological A subsurface geophysical survey monument and smaller buildings Führer identified Sagrahawa as “the the larger mound, indicating the Mukherji in 1899, who suggested Survey of India in the 1960s in 2016 identified additional at the western edge of the tank, place of the massacre”, visited by presence of additional buildings, that the extensive ruins were suggested that the structures structures under cultivated fields to as well as 17 small brick stupas the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang in the platforms or stupas, suggesting most likely contemporary with exposed by Mukherji dated to no the southeast of the larger mound. to its southeast. The stupas were 7th century ce. Until recently, the that this was a site of religious Tilaurakot. He documented ditches earlier than the 7th century ce. This interpreted as commemorative site remained unexplored and the importance in the past. on the north and west sides of the was partly due to the complex of

18 19 Kudan Gotihawa

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➀ © Durham University © Durham University © Durham University © UNESCO Chair, Durham University © Giovanni Veradi 1 The octagonal on the summit of this 1 The stupa originally measured 19.5 mound is about 200 years old and encases a much metres in diameter, and was later older linga. expanded to 21.5 metres. The early 2 This small mound contains the remains of an phase of the stupa was constructed unknown structure in the “last stage of decay” using concentric rings of wedge-shaped when Mitra excavated. bricks which had symbols inscribed 3 Temple #1 measures 42.3 x 31.8m and just over on them. Later phases only used 4.5m in height. rectangular bricks. 4 The well, constructed from brick, was excavated 2 A 3.2 metre long section of the pillar by Mitra to a depth of 3.7 without encountering with a diameter of 79-83 cm remains. water. The part with the inscription is broken © Durham University © Giovanni Veradi 5 Temple #2 and its whereabouts unknown. 6 The tank was probably created as clay was The remaining pillar photographed in Plan, section and photograph of the 1990 (top) and in 2014 (above) excavated stupa, 2007 extracted for making bricks. Major Vost had © Durham University © Thomas Schrom suggested in 1906 that the tank was Hastigrata, where it is believed the elephant thrown by the Carved bricks along the Monks visiting temple #1 (top) and view of Ancient Gotihawa consists of a the Italian archaeologist Giovanni attributed the initial construction Buddha landed. side of Temple #1 temple #2 (above) large brick stupa, the stump of an Verardi in the 1990s, who identified to Asoka (3rd cent. bce) with an Asokan pillar and a water tank, two construction phases. The expansion during the Kushan period Kudan means “to jump”, referring She exposed two of the mounds, have suggested that Kudan may be nestled within a modern village. The initial stupa measured 19.5 metres (100 bce – 300 ce). The excavations to the local legend of a giant, who revealing large cruciform brick-built the site of ancient , site was first explored in the 1890s in diameter and was built with also provided evidence that the site could jump from one mound to the temples on either side of an ancient the grove where Gautama and in 1898, the stupa was partially concentric rings of rectangular had already been occupied before next. The site was first identified well. On the basis of the design of Buddha met his father several years excavated by Major Waddell. and wedge-shaped bricks, many the stupa was built. Radiocarbon by P.C. Mukherji in 1899, who the exposed temple after his departure from Kapilavastu, Some early archaeologists believed of which were incised. The stupa tests date to 800 bce, and finds of recorded a row of four ancient and types of pottery, Mitra ascribed and where his son Rahul was that the monuments marked was later expanded to 21.5 proto-northern Black Polished Ware mounds. In 1962 the site was the construction of the temples ordained as a monk. the birthplace of Krakkuchanda metres in diameter, however, the indicate that it is contemporary excavated by Debala Mitra from to the 7th century ce, with later 9th Buddha, one of the earlier Buddhas. new brickwork comprised solely with Lumbini’s Village mound of the Archaeological Survey of India. century elaborations. Some scholars The stupa was re-excavated by of rectangular bricks. Verardi 1300 bce.

20 21 Sisaniya Ramagrama

➄ 1 Main Square. The geophysical survey 1 The stupa measures 10m high and 23.5m showed an area of open space through in diameter. It is reputed to be one of ➃ which the main north-south road ran. the original eight nirvana stupas that 2 Below the surface are a series of was not reopened. ➂ buildings and small lanes. 2 Farmers had called this the “unlucky 3 Auger-coring showed the presence of ➂ field” as no crops would grow in a moat here. The moats can be seen as it. When a geophysical survey was both defensive structures and symbolic ➁ conducted, it identified a perfect ➀ representations of the cosmos. ➀ quadrangular Kushan monastery ➁ 4 Very little is known about the stupa, buried below the surface. The dense as no archaeological investigation has concentration of brick would have been undertaken. It measures about made it difficult for crops to establish ten metres in diameter and about two themselves. ➃ ➅ metres in height. 3 Kushan Monastery. Further ➆ 5 Buried below the fields is a brick-lined quadrangular cells were found in this © Durham University © Durham University water tank. This is very similar to area forming part of the wider Kushan the water tank found to the east of monastery at the site. Tilaurakot. It is possible that there was a 4 A series of brick walls are visible on the monastery connected to the stupa near surface in this area. Their function and here. form is unknown. © University of Bradford 6 Area of early occupation. Auger- coring picked up traces of occupation Geophysical survey of the “unlucky field” predating the town in this area. However, until further work is carried © Durham University out we don’t know how much older, or Results of the geophysical survey. The © Durham University what form it took. thick blue areas represent the main streets; View of the stupa from the west 7 Small mound 200m to the east. striped areas are areas of occupation; and © Durham University the grey lines represent buried walls and structures. Ramagrama is on the tentative list remains of Lord Buddha. Tradition and a modern canal. Subsurface for unesco World Heritage Status, records that the other 7 stupas geophysical surveys were conducted and has attracted archaeological were reopened during the Mauryan in 1997 and 1999. These identified The site comprises of a 260 metre ruins on two sides of the mound, and large settlement of brick structures interest since 1896. The most period and their redistributed. the presence of several quadrangular long mound and a small circular concluded that the site dated back and open spaces, bisected by a striking feature of the site is its It is believed that when Asoka went brick monasteries to the east and mound 200 metres to its north. to at least the 1st cent. ce. In 1995, north-south thoroughfare. It also massive stupa, which is ten metres to open the stupa at Ramagrama, he north of the stupa. Some of these Excavations were first undertaken the Italian archaeologist Giovanni showed the presence of a walled high and 23.5 metres in diameter. was prevented from doing so by its structures were excavated by Sukra in 1899 by the Indian archaeologist Verardi conducted a systematic pond below the fields between Referencing the itineraries of the snake or naga. Sagar Shrestha of the DoA between P.C. Mukherji, who identified the collection of material on the surface the town and the northern mound, Chinese pilgrims, Faxian (5th cent. ce) 1999 and 2004. His research foundations of a town with brick of the mound, and dated Sisaniya’s similar to ones identified around and Xuanzang (7th cent. ce), Xuanzang carefully recorded this confirmed the site’s establishment structures, mounds and a well. occupation up to the 9th cent. ce. Tilaurakot’s Eastern Monastery. This B.K. Rijial of Nepal’s Department of tradition as well as the presence of between the Maurayan and Gupta Further research undertaken by suggests that there may have been Archaeology identified the stupa as the stupa, a pillar and a temple, now periods. Debala Mitra of the Archaeological In 2016, a subsurface geophysical monastic complexes around the Ramagrama, one of the original eight at the centre of an island formed by Survey of India in 1962 noted brick survey confirmed the presence of a town in the past. stupas that housed the cremated an old oxbow of the Jharahi River

22 23 EAST-WEST HIGHWAY

sagrahawa niglihawa chAtradei araurakot TILAURAKOT TO KAT HMA ND U à taulihawa

Kudan Dohani Gotihawa AIRPORT BHAIRAWAHA karma ramagrama

LUMBINI INTERNATIONAL sisanya BORDER CROSING

Û N INDIA INDIA

Based on the map prepared by UNESCO Chair, Durham University

Learn more about the Greater Lumbini Area:

Charles Allen, The Buddha and Dr Führer: An archaeological scandal, 2008 Basanta Bidari, Kapilavastu: The world of Siddhartha, 2007 Basanta Bidari, Lumbini Beckons, 2009 UNESCO, The Sacred Garden of Lumbini: Perceptions of Buddha’s birthplace, 2013 & 2018

The text was prepared by the UNESCO Chair, Durham University This publication was supported by the following institutions:

UNESCO Kathmandu Office | Oriental Cultural Heritage Sites Protection Alliance | Lumbini Development Trust Department of Archaeology, Nepal | Durham University | University of Stirling | University of | Government of the Hokke Shu Risshon Shanti Vihar | National Geographic | | Lumbini Buddhist University

Suggested price: NRs. 150 Second printing in April 2018

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