Excavations begin in Khayardanda believed to be the ancient town of Devdaha

BUTWAL: Excavations have commenced in the Khayardanda area of Devdaha which is believed to be the maternal hometown of Mayadevi – the mother of Gautam Buddha.

Siddhicharan Bhattarai, the treasurer of Lumbini Development Trust (LDT), and Dhruba Kharel, the Mayor of Devdaha Municipality, jointly inaugurated the excavation works.

Local residents had long been advocating for excavations in the Ghodaha Khayardanda area, claiming the presence of remnants from an ancient palace.

Bhattarai, who is also a resident of Devdaha, stated that the excavation is essential to uncover the ancient town of Devdaha. “Khyardanda is undoubtedly an archaeological site. We can determine whether it is the ancient town of Devdaha only after conducting the excavation,” added Bhattarai.

Previous excavations have revealed Bairimai, Kanyamai, and Bhawanipur as archaeological sites of the Buddha-era. Bhattarai said that the municipality should preserve and develop these sites as attractions for Buddhist pilgrims.

During the event, Mayor Kharel claimed that the Khayardanda area housed the palace of the capital city of the Koliya Republic. “With the Pushkarini Pond located to the north of Khayaradanda and the Rohini River to the south, I am confident that this is the ancient Devdaha,” said Kharel.

Kharel also announced plans to construct a museum to showcase the artifacts unearthed during the excavation.

A team of seven archaeologists, led by Himal Upreti, the chief of the Archaeology Department of LDT, will be conducting the excavations in the area. The excavation team includes Nabaraj Adhikari, Shubechcha Pokharel, Nisha Panti, and Ambika Subba.

The excavation is expected to continue for approximately one month.

Earlier in the current fiscal year, the LDT conducted excavations in the Gotihawa area of Kapilvastu.