Kapilvastu

110 kms from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, Kapilvastu (Piprahwa) on the Gorakhpur Gonda loop-line with Naugarh (35 Kms.) is the nearest railway station. The capital city of the Sakya clan, and one of the earliest republics, it was in Kapilvastu's opulent environs, that the holy soul of prince Siddharth (Gautam Buddha) spent his childhood.

Here he saw sorrow and pain, disease and death. Then, finally when he saw a radiant happy Sadhu who had conquered all these, he decided to renounce all worldly riches and pleasures to seek truth and embark on the path of salvation. The place holds significant value for Buddhist pilgrims and has several Stupas.

The archaeological excavations have revealed stone caskets containing relics believed to be that of Buddha's.

From October to April.

Tilaurakot Complex, Tilaurakot Fort, Tilaurakot Museum, Kapilvastu Kingdom Complex, Gotihawa, Araurakot, Kundan, Niglihawa, Sagarhawa, Lumbini Garden.

Tilaurakot Complex
Tilaurakot Fort Located approximately 25 kilometers east of Lumbini and about 4 kilometers north of Taulihawa, the modern district center of Kapilbastu District(approx. 30,000 inhabitants), are the archaeological remains of Tilaurakot. Thought to have been the citadel complex of the larger surrounding Kapilvastu Kingdom, founded by Lord Buddha's father Śuddhodana, the chief of the Shakya nation. Excavations have revealed a considerable walled fortress approximately 300 meters long and 200 meters wide and containing exposed foundations of several building complexes. Historically is is said that Prince Siddhartha grew up and spent his early life inside Tilaurakot to the age of 29, oblivious of worldly miseries outside. He was married to Yashodhara and had a son named Rahula. Upon confronting worldly miseries such as disease, aging and death, outside Tilaurakot's gates. He escaped Tilaurakot Fort one night from it's eastern gate, and riding eastward towards the jungles on his steed Kantaka, in search of enlightenment and in quest of answers to his questions about such miseries, pain and sufferings.

Tilaurakot Museum Some 150 meters before Tilaurakot's western gate (the modern main entrance) lies a small, neglected, but quaint museum housing jewelery and other ornaments, coins, painted grey ware and northern black polished ware pottery, and toys excavated from the site dating between the seventh century BC and fourth century AD.

Kapilvastu Kingdom Complex
Gotihawa lies 5-km southwest of Taulihawa town and is considered the natal town of Krakuchanda Buddha. The place has ruins of ancient habitation, stupas and monasteries. The place was visited by Ashoka as evidenced by a pillar with inscriptions. The pillar is broken with the upper part missing.

Araurakot lies about 9-km northeast of Tilaurakot. P.C. Mukheiji (1899) identified it as the natal town of Kanakmuni Buddha. It is a rectangular fortified area that contains a moat with heaps of ancient ruins.

Kundan is located 2-km southwest of Taulihawa on way to Gotihawa. It is a beautiful protected garden area with large structural ruins of monasteries and stupas and with a tank nearby. This is considered the historical sight where Lord Buddha, returning after many years preached, and where his father, Śuddhodana, was converted to Buddhism.

Niglihawa 7-km northwest of Tilaurakot, was another site visited by Ashoka and marked with a pillar. The pillar is broken into two pieces. The standing base pillar has Ashokan inscription in Brahmi script and the upper pillar has Devanagari inscription marking Ripu Mai's visit in 1312 AD. There are ruins of monasteries, stupas and habitation. It is identified as ancient town of Sobhawati, birthplace of Kanakmuni Buddha.

Sagarhawa lies 3.5 kin. north of Tilaurakot and west of Banganga river. It is a rectangular depression. Excavations done in 1896 traced seventeen stupas and large monuments made from well-burnt bricks. Findings of casket and other rare antiquities indicate them to be votive stupas of the war dead. However, these stupas remain no more as they were excavated to their foundation without restoration.

Lumbini Garden
Located approximately 22 kilometers east from Taulihwa is the sacred birthplace of Lord Buddha. The garden stretches one kilometer east west and 4 kilometers north south and besides having abundant bird and even some wild life, has an amazing collection over 20 nation's monasteries.

By Railway:
Piparahwa is 110 km away from Gorakhpur .The nearest railway station is Naugarh (35 Km) on the Gorakhpur - Gonda loop line .One can also take the road, if so desired . It is connected to all major cities of Uttar Pradesh by road.

By air via
Kathmandu to Bhairahawa Airport, about 40 kilometers east of Taulihawa. It takes 45 minutes, and costs about $200 for foreigners and $115 for nationals. Carriers include Buddha Air, Yeti Air, 160 NRs airport tax applies for all domestic flights.

By bus: Via Dehli, Gorakpur, Sunauli, India/Belahiya, Nepal. 24 - 30 hours.

Via Kathmandu, Narayangarh/Bharatpur (var. Narayanghat), Butwal, Bhairahawa, Taulihawa. 8 - 10 hours.

Via Pokhara, Palpa/Tanzan, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Taulihawa (potholed, windy road, but beautiful views) 6 - 8 hours. Also Pokhara, Narayangarh/Bharatpur/Butwal, Bhairahawa (better road conditions). 6 -8 hours.

By train: Via Delhi - Gorakpur. Transfer to narrow gauge track to Nautanwa. Transfer to taxi/bus/rickshaw to Sunauli, India (about 5 kilometers). Cross border to Belahiya and Nepal's Immigration. Transfer to bus/taxi rickshaw for 3 kilometers to Bhairahawa. Transfer to bus / taxi to Taulihawa. Total time approximately 14 - 20 hours.

Via Kolkata, Patna, Gorakpur. Transfer to narrow gauge track to Nautanwa. Transfer to taxi/bus/rickshaw to Sunauli, India (approximately 5 kilometers). Cross border to Belahiya, and Nepal's Immigration. Transfer to bus/taxi rickshaw for 3 kilometers to Bhairahawa. Transfer to bus / taxi to Taulihawa. Total time approximately 12 - 14 hours.

PWD inspection House Birdpur (12Km) , Irrigation Rest House Birdpur (12Km)

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