Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Greater Lumbini Area is home to many archaeological and religious sites related to Lord Sakyamuni Buddha’s life, including his birthplace Lumbini. The area covers 5,260 sq km and encompasses Rupandehi, Nawalparasi, and Kapilvastu districts in the southern plains of western Nepal.
In addition to Lumbini, the area comprises three other significant Buddhist sites: Tilaurakot, Devadaha, and Ramagrama. While Lumbini is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Tilaurakot and Ramagrama have been designated as Tentative World Heritage sites by UNESCO.
While sites in and around Lumbini are frequented by visitors from all over the world, other sites related to the life of Buddha have not come to the notice of tourists yet. One of these sites is Tilaurakot, where Siddhartha Gautam spent 29 years of his life. Tilaurakot is located about 28 km west of Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. Despite being an important place, most visitors coming to Lumbini do not visit Tilaurakot due to inadequate tourist infrastructure. However, preparations are on to include Tilaurakot on the list of World Heritage Sites.
At Tilaurakot, visitors can observe the remnants of the Tilaurakot palace and the western and eastern gates to the ancient town. The Dhamanihawa Stupa, about 700m away from the ancient palace, is believed to have been built to commemorate Buddha’s parents – King Sudhdhodan and Mayadevi. Also known as Twin Stupa, the site was excavated in 1960s. Gotihawa, the birthplace of the Krakuchhanda Buddha, is located 7 km from Tilaurakot. The site has the remnants of the broken Ashoka pillar and an ancient stupa. A metal statue of the Krakuchhanda Buddha has been erected in the site.
Likewise, Niglihawa is the birthplace of Kanakmuni, another Buddha born in Nepal. It is located 9 km away from Tilaurakot. Visitors can see the remnants of the broken Ashoka pillar at this site, along with the Niglisagar pond, an ancient pond. Arorakot, the hometown of the Kanakmuni Buddha, is also nearby.
Sagarhawa, located 8 km from Tilaurakot, is the place where thousands of Shakyas were believed to have been killed. Visitors can see ruins of ancient palaces and structures and a pond at Sagarhawa. According to Lumbini Development Trust, Dr A Fuhrer conducted an archaeological excavation at this place in the 1890s and unearthed Buddha-era antiques and the remains of a stupa.
Nigrodharam, also known as Kudan, is believed to be the place where Siddhartha Gautam met his father Sudhdhidan and stepmother Prajapati Gautami, his wife Yashodhara and son Rahul, when he returned to Kapilvastu after attaining enlightenment. The place lies 28km to the southwest of Lumbini and it is at a distance of 6 km from Tilaurakot. Visitors can see three stupas, one pond, and a well in Kudan.
Devdaha in Nawalparasi district is believed to be the ancient kingdom of the Buddha’s maternal uncle and is located 57km northeast of Lumbini. Devdaha is the home of Mayadevi and is related to the Buddha’s childhood.
Ramgram, also in Nawalparasi, is another important place where the Buddha’s relics are kept. It is located in Nawalparasi district, 3 km south of Parasi. The relic of the Buddha is ensconced at the Ramgram Stupa which looks like a grassy mound today.
