Archaeologists from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently carried out further excavations at the site of Kesariya Stupa, also known as Tejpur Deora Stupa, in the Indian state of Bihar. Their recent discoveries have revealed an additional terrace below the current ground level, indicating that the Stupa is even more remarkable than previously thought.
“Multiple trenches were taken up on the eastern slope and terraces of Kesariya Stupa, revealing structural features such as brick walls, open drains, and rammed floors,” the ASI noted recently, sharing their findings on social media. “Excavations northwest of the main stupa revealed part of the outer brick circumambulatory path, running from north to the south and taking crescent shape. Some sections of the path are partially missing.” (Archaeological Survey of India X)
Situated 110 kilometers from the city of Patna in the East Champaran District of Bihar, Kesariya Stupa is an ancient heritage site recognized as the largest known ancient Buddhist stupa in the world. It is believed to have been constructed by Emperor Ashoka (r. 268–232 BCE). Towering over the surrounding countryside, the stupa is located in the small township of Kesariya, nestled between two significant Buddhist sites, Vaishali and Kushinagar.
According to Buddhist tradition, Vaishali, the former capital of the Licchavi clan of the Vajji, is where the Buddha gave his final sermon before attaining mahaparinirvana in Kushinagar. Unwilling to part from him, the Licchavis followed the Buddha on his journey from Vaishali to Kushinagar. The Buddha is said to have urged them to return, presenting his alms bowl to them as a memento. Therefore, Kesariya Stupa is identified as a paribhogika stupa, meaning it houses the Buddha’s personal belongings.
Kesariya Stupa exhibits architectural similarities with the 19th century Buddhist temple Borobudur in Indonesia. Both monuments feature a circular mandala design, with terraces that include figures of the Buddha in their niches. Kesariya Stupa is also built on a hilltop, just like Borobudur.
The ASI discovered the stupa in 1998, with further excavations conducted in 2018–19, and again in 2024.
“Recent excavations suggest the existence of an additional terrace below the present ground level, which would increase the estimated dimensions of the stupa,” ASI officials stated. (Archaeological Survey of India X)
Renowned for its magnificent architecture, Kesariya Stupa is 31 meters tall and has a base diameter of 122 meters, and a circular, terraced design. There are at least seven circular levels. A solid brick tower, thought to have once stood 24–27 meters tall, sits atop the upper portion of the polygonal brick floors.
According to The New Indian Express newspaper, Kesariya Stupa stood 37 meters high before the 1934 earthquake in Bihar. ASI reports indicate that when Buddhism flourished in India, the stupa was approximately 43 meters high.
“Currently, the stupa stands with six visible terraces above ground,” said ASI officials. “Each terrace contains a series of cells, and the structure is surmounted by a cylindrical drum composed of solid brickwork. Recent excavations suggest the existence of an additional terrace below the present ground level, which, would increase the estimated dimensions of the stupa.
“The cell on the northern corner had the lower portion of a seated Buddha image in stucco placed along the central wall,” the officials added. (Archaeological Survey of India X)
“The central cell had a small seated image of Buddha in stucco (only the lower part) along its right side wall. Excavations northwest of the main stupa revealed part of the outer brick circumambulatory path, running from north to the south and taking crescent shape. Some sections of the path are partially missing,” they observed. (Archaeological Survey of India X)
The chief minister of Bihar, Nithish Kumar, visited the stupa in December 2003 and commenced an initiative to promote it tas a tourist attraction. Kumar inaugurated a restaurant, an eight-room guesthouse, and tourist center, among other visitor facilities. He also laid the foundation stone for a set of replicas of Bihar’s iconic tourist attractions, including a project to construct a replica of the stupa that would depict the portion that has collapsed. (The Telegraph)
See more
Archaeological Survey of India (X)
Excavation reveals new structure at Bihar Stupa (The New Indian Express)
Kesariya Stupa: Recently Excavated Architectural Marvel (TIIKM Publishing)
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s bid to place Kesariya Stupa on global tourism map (The Telegraph)
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