Remains of the Ancient City of Kapilavastu, the Capital of the Kingdom of the Shakyas
Historically, Kapilvastu is believed to be named after Saint Kapil. The Buddha visited Kapilvastu a few times during his life. It is also said that the first nunnery in Buddhist history was established in Kapilvastu by Buddha’s stepmother, Mahaprajapati Gotami.
Tilaurakot, Kapilvastu is believed to be where Lord Buddha spent the first 29 years of his life as the crown prince. Chinese Buddhist scholars Faxian (also referred to as Fa-Hien and Xuanzang, also known as Hiuen Tsang), are said to have visited Tialurakot in the 5th and 7th centuries AD. A few renowned archaeologists have also recently identified Tilaurakot as the actual capital of Kapilvastu and the home of King Suddhodhana, father of Prince Siddhartha, who went onto becoming the Buddha.
The royal town of Tilaurakot is about 27 km west of Lumbini and 3 km from Taulihawa. A joint effort by Nepali and Japanese archaeologists uncovered the town with its elaborate gateway to the west, the twin stupas of the Buddha's parents, and King Suddhodhan’s palace in and around the Tilaurakot mound. Later British archaeologists also reconfirmed the exact location of the palace.
The Chinese pilgrims Fa-Hien and Hiuen-Tsang who visited Tilaurakot in the 5th and 7th centuries AD mentioned seeing numerous stupas, monasteries, and palaces in their travelogues now available in English as well. They noted that they saw Kapilvastu in complete ruins and recounted about deserted cities within Kapilvastu.
There are historical reports that King Virudhaka avenged his father, who had been duped and insulted by the Shakyas. King Virudhaka is said to have avenged his father by massacring the Shakyas and destroying the cities during the last days of Lord Buddha.
Currently, a maternity route is being developed from Lumbini to Tilaurakot as a tribute to Mother Maya Devi who gave birth to Lord Buddha. Similarly, one of the most important events in the life of Lord Buddha was the Great Renunciation known as Mahabhinishkramana. Prince Siddhartha as he was known, left his luxury life in search of truth and peace on the day of Gurupurnima, which is known as Mahabhinishkramana in Buddhist script. This occasion was revived and celebrated in 2019 as the auspicious day of the great renunciation of the Buddha.
Accessibility
It takes almost two hours to reach Tilaurakot from Bhairahawa by bus or car and one hour from Lumbini.
Accommodation
Few hotels accommodate tourists in this area.
