Monastic complex frequented by the Buddha at Vaishali Museum:

Archaeological Survey of Indian archaeology in vaishali museum reviews.
Archaeologists in the northern Indian state of Bihar have been busy. In the city of Rajgir, excavations have exposed the remains of a fifth-century B.C. brick stupa (domed temple) beneath which, based on Buddhist texts, some believe relics of the Buddha (ashes, bones, hair, and nail clippings) are buried. The location of this stupa, one of several reportedly built over the Buddha’s relics, has long been contested, and another structure has also been suggested. The traditional description of the holy site in the Atta Katha, a book of tales associated with the Buddha’s life, seems to better match the newly excavated stupa in terms of both location and building materials.

Meanwhile, excavations at Vaishali have exposed a monastic complex frequented by the Buddha. The Archaeological Survey of Indian archaeology found a nunnery with attached latrines in this town where the Buddha, at the request of his foster mother and a female disciple, first permitted an order of nuns. A number of terra-cotta latrine pans and an enormous communal bathing tank that, according to legend, was dug for the Buddha by monkeys attest the Vaishalian concern for hygiene.

Vaishali museum houses some of the archaeological remains discovered here. Facing the museum is the Abhishek Pushkarni which was holy to Lichchhavis. On one side of the lake is newly built Vishwa Shanti Stupa, a sixth in the series to be erected in India. Close to the museum is the shaded stupa which is supposed to have housed the casket relic with the ashes of Buddha.

Archaeologists site have covered a good deal of Vaishali. It begins with a huge mound which is associated with the ancient Parliament referred to Raja Vaihala Ka Garh. Bawan Pokhar temple houses a rich collection of black basalt images dating back to the Gupta and Pala period.

Another black basalt, four headed Shivling (Choumukhi Mahadeva) was discovered when a reservoir was being dug. Behind the world archaeology history in Bawan Pokhar temple is a Jain temple famous for its image of the Trithankar. A little distance from these temples lies the Lotus Tank which used to be a picnic spot of the Lichchhavis.