This tour is to display more about the livelihood of Prince Siddhartha (Buddha) and the development of Buddhism. There are 62 other archaeological sites scattered outside the Lumbini Garden. Seven of them are worthwhile to visit. The circuit tour starts from:
1. Tilaurakot:
Tilaurakot is the ancient Kapilvastu, the capital of the Shakya Kingdom, situated 27 km west of Lumbini, three km from Taulihawa town. A joint effort of Nepalese and Japanese archaeologists recovered the royal town of Tilaurakot, the elaborate gateway in the western side, the twin stupa of the Buddha's parents, King Sodhodhan's palace in and around the Tilaurakot mound. Historically, Kapilvastu was named after Saint Kapil. Buddha visited Kapilvastu several times during his life. The first nunnery, in the Buddhist history, was also established in Kapilvastu. The most interesting things to note in the historic ruins are the earth rampart, the brick fortification, the ancient habitation, exposed plus the thirteen layers of human depositions dated from 8 BC and 2-3 AD. The Kapilvastu Museum exhibits the coins, pottery and toys (dating back to 7th century BC and 4th century AD) with a good collection of jewelry and other ornaments. The terracotta figures and plaques recovered at Tilaurakot belonged to the pre-Mauryan, Mauryan, Sunga and the Kushana periods. Both the pilgrims Fa-Hien and Hiuen-Tsang noted that they saw Kapilvastu in complete ruins and counted 10 deserted cities within Kapilvastu. It is said to have been destroyed by King Virudhaka who massacred the Shakyas during the last days of Lord Buddha.
2. Kudan
Kudan
is situated about 4.5 km south of Tilaurakot in the village of Kukan, where King Suddhodhana met Lord Buddha, the first time after returning from enlightenment. It is a huge mound of structural ruins and a pond nearby appears to be the wreckage of stupas and monasteries, believed to the Kasaya stupa, where a kasaya (yellow-robe) was presented to Lord Buddha. Kudan is also Kshemavati, the birthplace of historic Krakuchanda Buddha.
3. Gotihawa
Gotihawa
is an important historic, archaeological as well as a very important religious site of the Buddhist world, located about 3 km southwest of Taulihawa.
It is believed that Krakuchanda Buddha, who came before Sakyamuni Buddha, was born and attained nirvana in Gotihawa.
The area outside modern Gotihawa village is covered with ancient potteries, brick structures of stupas and monasteries. At the center of the main mound lie a remain of broken Asokan Pillar standing on a slab. Adjoining the pillar on the north-east side is a huge stupa with rings of wedge-shaped ancient bricks, identifying the Nirvana Stupa of Krakuchanda Buddha. An ancient well lying in the center of the village is still being used by the villagers. The site is believed to have started developing in 6 century BC. The first phase of the stupa is made of rectangular and wedge-shaped bricks containing a large amount of rice husk, straw and vegetation (dating back to the 3rd century BC). The bricks are ill baked and few of them bear marks of crosses within circles internally barred. The second period is marked by the supplement of two more rings and a new Pradaksina Path at a higher level than the earlier. New rings are made of rectangular bricks only, it is conjectured that the enlargement of the stupa was carried out in Saka and Kushana time (end of 1st Cent. BC to the 2-3 Cent. A.D).
4. Niglihawa
Niglihawa is a significant archaeological site situated about 7 km north of Taulihawa, where, close to a large pond lie the remains of a broken Asokan Pillar. Historically, the Emperor Ashoka visited during his pilgrimage, built a stupa and set up a pillar. Renowned archaeologist Dr. Alois Fuhrer discovered this pillar in 1895. The 15 feet tall upper portion of the pillar bears inscription. This site is regarded as a very important religious place for Buddhists and research scholars. It is believed that Kanakmuni Buddha was born, enlightened and met his father in this place. The Asokan Pillar attests the fact that Emperor Asoka enlarged the stupa enshrining the relics of the Kanakmuni Buddha. Chinese pilgrims, Fa-Hien and Hiuen-Tsang, described the Kanakmuni Stupa and Asokan Pillar in their travel accounts.
5. Sagarhawa
Sagarhawa is the forest site where the ruins of an ancient pond were excavated in 1895. Archaeologists have identified this site as the "Palace of the Massacre of the Shakyas". The ruins of the ancient site are lying on the west and south banks of the huge rectangular pond, locally known as Lumbu Sagar or long pond in Niglihawa village. It is about 12 km north of Taulihawa.
6. Aurorakot
Aurorakot is the large rectangular fortified area with the remains of ancient most and brick fortifications lies nearby Niglihawa. It is used to be a walled forest in ancient times. This citadel was believed to be a walled forest in ancient times. This citadel was believed to be the birth town of Kanakmuni Buddha, lying to the east of Niglihawa, and about 10 km. northeast of Taulihawa.
7. Devdaha
Devdaha
is the ancient capital of the Koliya kingdom, located 54 km east of Lumbini, across the Rohini River. It is the maternal hometown of Queen Mayadevi (mother), Prajapati Gautami (step-mother), Princess Yasodhara (consort), where Prince Siddhartha had spent his childhood. After seven years of his Enlightenment, Lord Buddha had visited Devdaha and had ordained the followers of Jain Sadhu Nirgarantha nathputra. There are several other sited Kumarbarti, Khayardanda, Bairimai/Kanyamai, Bhabanipur/Devidamar, Mathagadi (ancient weapons), around Devadaha.
8. Ramgrama
Ramgrama is the brick mound on the bank of the Jharahi River. It is seven meter high brick stupa consisting of relic (one of the eight astha dhatu) of Lord Buddha. The Stupa was built by the king of Ramgrama, who was the eighth king to obtain the Buddha's relics. History has noted that Emperor Asoka to open it to multiply into eight four thousand stupa. However, the Dragon King of Ramgrama stupa did not permit.
