An ancient Kapilvastu

Tilaurakot

The palace of Shakya monarch Suddodhan, capital of ancient Kapilvastu is situated at 3 km north from district headquarter. Lord Buddha spent 29 years of his early life here. This palace was first explored by the Magadh emperor.  Ashoka in 251-245 BC since then Chinese traveler 'Fiahan' in 406 AD When Tshang in 639 AD and Itsing in 671-695 AD carried on their exploration in 12th century. Ripu Malla, the king of Karnali region visited this place. This fact is inscribed on the pillar of Niglihawa. The governor of Palpa general Khadka Samsher initiated the research and study of this place in 1993 AD. German archaeologist Dr. Fuhrer started his research from March 1895. Till now, Cunningham, Carlyle, Devids, Vincersmith, Dr. Bhost, P.C. Mukharjee, Dr. Joshi, Derala Mitra and Risso University of Japan carried out their explorations and excavations. They have provided evidences to prove the place to have been the ancient palace of Lord Buddha. The place occupies an area of 1700 feet from North to South and 1300 feet from East to West. The width of wall is 8 to 12 feet. Here archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a palace, boundary wall pond, Stupa, Yashodhara Rahul Bihar (recreation, Park), school of Lord Buddha, Dev Temple, pottery pieces of NBP, puneh-marked coins, ornaments and weapons.

Niglihawa

Niglihawa is 7 km east of Taulihawa. Lord Buddha was born as Kanakmuni at this place. There are proofs that the emperor Ashoka had visited the place on the occasion of his 14th coronation anniversary in 251 BC and again in 245 BC. He worshipped and erected a pillar. The pillar was uncovered by Dr. Fuhrer in 1896 AD until 2050 BS both the parts of the pillar remained neglected. After the National Buddhists Conference held at Kapilvastu in 2050 BS, Lumbini Development Fund and Department of Archaeology have conserved the pillar. There is a statue of Kanakmuni Buddha. There is a hearsay that Lord Buddha was brought here on 7th day after his birth. An astrologer read his palm and horoscope and prophesied that the child would be either a universal monarch or a great sage.

Gotihawa

Gotihawa is 5 km south west from Taulihawa and 3 km west from Kudan. There is an ancient Ashoka Pillar. This place is known as the city of Krakuchchhanda Manushi (Women) Buddha according to Fia Han: at the edge of this twon there was a Stupa built by Krakuchchhanda Buddha after Nirvana at the place where he met his father. There is a 30 feet tall pillar built by Ashoka at south east edge of the city. Circumference of the Stupa was 68 feet when Purna Chandra Mukharjee visited in 1899. Major Wadel has found some human remains and pieces of coal while digging.

Tilaurakot

Tilaurakot

Tilaurakot

Sagarhawa

Sagarhawa is 4 km north o Tilaurakot. Chinese traveler Wheng TSang describes this is the place where 70000 Shakyas were assassinated. Dr. Fuhrer and P.C. Mukharjee have approved that 17 Stupas were found at this place in the excavation made in 19th centry. Human remains were found inside the Stupas. Till now 21 Stupas are found in this place. The Stupas are made up of the bricks carved with the pictures of weapons used by the Shakya warriors against Vidudhak. A pond of 1059 feet long and 225 feet wide is situated 120 feet west from it where remains of 12 rooms were found. The height of the Stupa was 15 feet from its base. An earthen urn with human remains, two pieces of gold and rice were also found.

Tauleshwarnath Temple

The temple is situated at the centre of Taulihawa. The pillar inside the temple is being worshiped as "Shiva Linga" by Hindus. This pillar is said to be an ancient pillar prior to the Ashoka era instead of the "Shiva Linga".  There is a story that some 16 years ago some herds' men saw the top of a pillar. They dug the pillar but didn't find its bottom. Thinking that the God is eternal, they stopped digging. On the same place a temple was built which became famous as "Tamreshwor Mahadeva". The city 'Taulihawa' was named after it.

Jagadishpur Lake

This lake lies in Niglihawa VDC. It occupies an area of 557 hectares. This lake was enlisted in the list of International Marsh Region in January 2002. It is the habitat of birds like Siberian duck, water Rall (Patera in local language) and curlew. It is accessible along the canal road. An important place from the point of view of biological variety is waiting for the visitors.

Tilaurakot

Kudan

Situated at 3 km south to Taulihawa, this place was the court of King Suddodhan. There is saying that dispute for a duck between prince Siddhartha and Devodutta was settled in the very court. There are an ancient 'Shivalaya' and two Stupas. This place is called 'Lori Kudan'. Chinese traveler Whang Tsang and FiahaKrakuchchhanda Buddha while others as Nigrodhram. n mentioned that Lord Buddha visited Soddodhan at this place. It is said that 500 Shakyas left their homes here. Some mention it as a city of Krakuchchhanda Buddha while others as Nigrodhram.