Lord Buddha visited Vaishali thrice and spent long time here. The famous Ratana Sutra was delivered by the Lord in Vaishali. Towards the end of his life, Lord Buddha announced parinirvana and delivered his last sermon here in Vaishali. The second Buddhist council was held in Vaishali about 100 years after Lord Buddha’s death. Emeror Ashoka comemorated the site by building stupa and a Ashoka Pillar with lion capital which still stands proud at the site. in 2010, the site was included in tentative list of UNESCO Word Heritage Centre under Silk Road Sites in India.
| IMPORTANCE OF THE PILGRIMAGE SITE OF VAISHALI |
| 1. The site of Vaishali is further south of Champaran. During Buddha’s time, Vaishali was ruled by Lichhavis and Magadh was ruled by Bimbisara of Haryanka dynasty whose capital was Rajgir. Bimbisara’s son Ajatshatru later annexed Vaishali into Magadh and also shifted Magadh’s capital to Patliputra. Both Bimbisara and Ajatshatru were Buddha’s followers. Buddha is said to have visited Vaishali thrice and spent long time here. |
| 2. Ratana Sutta रतन – सुत्त : In Vaishali (Vesali), Lord Buddha had delivered Ratana Sutta (Discourse on the Jewels) to the Venerable Ananda, and had instructed him to tour the famine afflicted city of Vesali with the Licchavi citizens reciting the discourse as a mark of protection to the people of Vesali. {RATANA SUTTA रतन – सुत्त |Text Pali Sanskrit English English detailed | Videos by Priya Barua , by students of Mumbai University , Animated version , by Imee Ooi } |
| 3. Towards the end of his life, Buddha announced his parinirvana and delivered his last sermon here in Vaishali. |
| 4. विमलकिर्ति Vimalakirti, Buddha’s famous disciple was from Vaishali; famous for विमलकिर्ति निर्देश सूत्र (Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra).{ विमलकिर्ति निर्देश सूत्र Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra |Text 1|Text 2 | Short biography of Vimalakirti | भूमिका Introduction | All 14 Chapters | Explanation by Robert Thurman | Resources } |
| 5. Vaishali is the place where second Buddhist council was held about 100 years after Buddha’s death under the patronage of Kalashoka, the son of Shishunaga. |
| 6. In order to comemorate association of Vaishali with Lord Buddha’s life, Emperor Ashoka constructed stupa and erected Dhamma Stambh (Ashokan pillar). The Dhamma Stambh beside the brick stupa at Kolhua in Vaishali commemorates Lord Buddha’s last sermon. There is no Ashokan edict engraved on the pillar. |
| 7. In 2010, Kolhua site comprising of remains of Kutagarshala, Swastika-shaped monastery, a tank, cluster of votive stupas, miniature shrines, main stupa and the Ashokan Pillar was put in tentative list of UNESCO Word Heritage Centre under Silk Road Sites in India. |
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION:
| Country | India |
| State | Bihar |
| District | Vaishali |
| Village | Kolhua |
| Postal Code | 844128 |
| Coordinates | 26.014162°N 85.109220°E |
| Google map link | https://goo.gl/maps/4d8XhGMY5z3tv7rMA |
GOOGLE MAP:
Kolhua Ashok Pillar
THE EDICTS OF ASHOKA:
The Ashokan Pillar at Kolhua does not bear any edict
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SOURCES:
1.Indian Archaeology 1957-58 A Review Excavation at Vaishali, District Muzaffarpur Pages 19-20
2.Indian Archaeology 1990-91 A Review Excavation at Kolhua, District Muzaffarpur Pages 11-12
3.Indian Archaeology 1991-92 A Review Excavation at Kolhua, District Muzaffarpur Pages 13-14
4. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Tentative Lists – Silk Road Sites in India. Ruins of Ancient Vaishali
SELECTED VIDEOS:
Alumnus of the London School of Economics; a UK based former academic; writes and edits for ‘India Review (ISSN 2631-3227)’, ‘Scientific European SCIEU (ISSN 2515-9542)’ & ‘The India Review’ TIR News.
