Kesaria Stupa

Kesariya stupa is a Buddhist stupa in Kesariya, located at a distance of 110 kilometres (68 mi) from Patna, in the Champaran (east) district of Bihar, India. The first construction of the Stupa is dated to the 3rd century BCE.[1] Kesariya Stupa has a circumference of almost 400 feet (120 m) and raises to a height of about 104 feet (32 m).[1]

Kesariya Stupa
Panorama of Kesariya Stupa
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
SectTheravada Buddhism
StatusPreserved
Location
LocationIndia Kesaria, East Champaran district, Bihar, India
Kesaria Stupa is located in India
Kesaria Stupa
Location in Bihar, India
Kesaria Stupa is located in Bihar
Kesaria Stupa
Kesaria Stupa (Bihar)
AdministrationArchaeological Survey of India
Geographic coordinates26.334140°N 84.854762°E / 26.334140; 84.854762
Architecture
TypeStupa
StyleBuddhist
Specifications
Height (max)32 metres (105 feet)
Materialsbrick

History

The site's exploration reportedly started in the early 19th century, from its discovery led by Colonel Mackenzie in 1814 to General Cunningham's proper excavation in 1861–62. An excavation was conducted by archaeologist KK Muhammed of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 1998.[1] 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.[2]

The stupa mound may even have been inaugurated during the Buddha's time, as it corresponds in many respects to the description of the stupa erected by the Licchavis of Vaishali to house the alms bowl the Buddha has given them.The current structure entirely dates to the pala period.[3][1] The ASI has declared the stupa a protected monument of national importance. Despite being a popular tourist attraction, Kesariya is yet to be developed and a large part of the stupa still remains under vegetation.[4]

Relationship with Borobodur

It has been noted that the Kesariya stupa shares many architectural similarities with the Buddhist temple located in Indonesia, Borobodur which points to a historical connections between east India and South East Asia. Both monuments share a circular mandala form with terraces containing figures of Buddha in the niches. Like Borobodur, Kesariya is also built atop of a hill. The excavated chambers at Kesariya show a combination of statues in bhumisparsha (of Akshobhya) and dhyanimudra (of Amitabha) on the same side, whereas Borobudur houses four Jina Buddhas, displaying their respective mudras on the four sides of the monument.[5]

  • Chakia Kesariya Sattarghat Road, just outside the gate to the stupa
    Chakia Kesariya Sattarghat Road, just outside the gate to the stupa
  • view of the stupa from the gate
    view of the stupa from the gate
  • Panoramic close-up view of the stupa
    Panoramic close-up view of the stupa
  • broken Buddha statues
    broken Buddha statues
  • broken Buddha statue
    broken Buddha statue

See also
Pilgrimage to
Buddha's Holy Sites
The Four Main Sites
Four Additional Sites
Other Sites

References
  1. Le Huu Phuoc, Buddhist Architecture, Grafikol 2009, pp.169-171
  2. Buddhist Architecture, Lee Huu Phuoc, Grafikol 2009, p.140-174
  3. Chakrabarti, Dilip.K. (2001). Archaeological Geography of the Ganga Plain. Permanent Black. ISBN 9788178240169.
  4. "Kesaria Stupa – World's Tallest Buddhist Stupa". www.earthismysterious.com. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  5. Chemburkar, Swati (2018). "Visualising the Buddhist Mandala: Kesariya, Borobudur, and Tabo". ndia and Southeast Asia: Cultural Discourses: 197–222.
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