ForumIAS LATEST
- 04 June | MGP Strategy Series | GS Paper 4 (Ethics) with AIR 7 A.R. Rajah Mohaideen Click Here to register for the session →
- 04 June | GS Advance Program begins from 4th June 2026 | First 2 classes open to all Click Here to register for the event →
- 05 June | MGP Strategy Series | GS Paper 3 Strategy Session with AIR 406 Mannat Luthra Click Here to register for the session
- 06 June | Open Orientation on Essay Guidance Program (EGP 2026) Click Here to register →
- 07 June | Open Orientation for Current Affairs for Mains 2026 Click Here to register →
- 07 June | Sociology Optional Strategy Session with AIR 10 Ujjwal Priyank Click Here to register →
Contents
What is the News?
Kesaria Buddha stupa in east Champaran district of Bihar is waterlogged following floods in some parts of the districts.
About Kesaria Buddha Stupa:
- Kesariya Stupa is a Buddhist stupa in Kesariya located at a distance of 110 kilometres from Patna, Bihar.
- It is regarded as the tallest and the largest Buddhist stupa in the world.
Origin of Kesariya Stupa:
- The original Kesariya stupa probably dates to the time of Ashoka (circa 250 BCE) as the remains of a capital of a Pillar of Ashoka were discovered there.
- The current stupa dates to the Gupta Dynasty between 200 AD and 750 AD and may have been associated with the 4th century ruler Raja Chakravarti.
- The local people call Kesariya stupa as “Devala”, meaning “house of god”.
Discovered by:
- The Stupas exploration had started in the early 19th century after its discovery led by Colonel Mackenzie in 1814.
- Later, it was excavated by General Cunningham in 1861-62 and in 1998 an ASI team led by archaeologist K.K. Muhammad had excavated the site properly.
Significance:
- Two great foreign travelers, Faxian (Fahien) and Xuan Zang (Hsuan Tsang) had visited this place in ancient times and have left interesting and informative accounts of their travels.
- The discovery of gold coins bearing the seal of the famous emperor Kanishka of the Kushan dynasty goes on to further establish the ancient heritage of Kesaria.
- Archeological Survey of India(ASI) has declared Kesariya Stupa as a protected monument of national importance.
