Ramagrama Stupa

Ramagrama Stupa, located in Nawalparasi West district, is one of the eight stupas where the relics (asthi dhatu) of Lord Buddha were placed. It is the only stupa that is believed to have not been excavated yet and remains safe in its original form. This is an extremely sacred place for Buddhist followers. Due to its religious and archaeological importance, it has been proposed for the World Heritage List.

History

The history of Ramagrama Stupa starts with the Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha (483 BC). Relics obtained after Buddha's cremation were divided into eight parts. Among them, one part was received by the Koliya republic, the maternal side of Buddha, and this stupa was built in Ramagrama. There is a religious belief that when Emperor Ashoka tried to open all eight stupas and take out the relics in the third century BC, the Naga King stopped him in Ramagrama. Therefore, it is considered the only intact (unopened) and original stupa containing the relics of Buddha in the world. Chinese travelers Faxian and Xuanzang also described it in their travel accounts.

Architecture

This stupa is in the form of a massive mound made of bricks and mud. Its height is about 7 meters and diameter about 23.5 meters. According to archaeological excavations, although its construction started in the Mauryan period, it appears to have been further expanded and repaired in the Shunga, Kushan, and Gupta periods later. Currently, this stupa looks like a green mound, on top of which is a massive Bodhi tree, which is protecting the stupa naturally.

Religious Importance and Festivals

For Buddhist followers, this is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in the world. The local Tharu community worships this site as 'Deurwa' (place where God resides).

• Buddha Jayanti: Special worship and festivals are celebrated here on the day of Baisakh Shukla Purnima. On this day, thousands of devotees from Nepal and abroad gather here for prayer and meditation.
• Worship and Meditation: Pilgrims coming here light lamps, sing bhajans, and meditate wishing for peace. This site has been listed on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage since 1996.