World's tallest Buddhist Stupa in Kesariya

Last time when I went to my hometown Kesariya (Bihar), I saw this Buddhist Stupa. It is only at a walking distance from my home. It is really amazing to see that it holds the distinction of being the largest in the world.

Many years ago when I used to go there it was in the form of a mound and there was a small temple near by. Somehow the temple was related to the mound. I had a curiosity to know about that mound as people used to say that there was a monk lived at the top of that mound and no one else could dare even to climb on that.

My excitement increased when my Dadi (grandmother) told me a story behind it and it was one of my favourite stories I heard from her. She told me there was a king's palace hidden in that mound and was blessed by spirits. As dadi told me many people even British government tried to find the treasure hidden in the mound but they did not succeed to dig that. Since then it was called a spiritual place worshiped by local people of the area. I used to see it with curiosity as if there is something mysterious hidden in it.

I have been hearing for last few years that a team from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) noticed this mound and came to see it. If we pay heed to the history of Bauddh religion and the life of Buddha, this place has an important role in history. Historical record shows that Lord Buddha stayed in Kesariya ('Kessaputta' in ancient India) during his last few months of life. It is said that Buddha had prediction about his impending death. Before his nirvana, Buddha said people to go back to Vaishali but they followed him without caring for his instructions to go back. It is believed that Lord Buddha spent a night at Kesariya and handed over his begging-bowl to people and asked them to go back to Vaishali after his death.

Attractions of Stupa - Excavated in 1998, this place has become a global tourist attraction within a short span of time. According to some archaeologists, this monument dates back to 200 AD to 750 AD, and is associated to some Raja Chakravarti. The stupa is believed to be of a height of 150 ft while the Borobodur is of 138. The striking similarity in the two is that both have six floors, and the diameter of the Kesaria stupa is equal to that of the width of the Borobodur. The stupa was built to commemorate the end-life of Lord Buddha, by Licchvis, as for the matter of fact Buddha held the Lichhvis high and also preached others to do so.

Buddha's simple and ethical principles also come into mind while one travels this huge Stupa, nearly twice as large as that of Sanchi.