Friday, February 24, 2012

CM's visit to Ashokan Pillar Site of Rampurwa

Hon'ble Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish kumar Ji visited Rampurwa (27° 16’ 11 N, 84° 29’ 58 E)  on 12th November, 2011 during his SEWA YATRA of Bettiah District. This visit is also part of his Pilgrimage to the places associated with the Buddha and his important disciples as mentioned in the travelogues of Ven Xuanzang (7th CE) and Ven Faxian (5th CE).
Two Stupa mounds and two Ashokan pillars were discovered here by the Britishers in late 19th Century. This place is very important because the Faxian's and Xuanzang's description of Kushinara, i.e. the place of Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha leads us to Rampurwa.
Hon'ble Chief Minster has directed officials for proper exploration and excavation of the place.

Hon'ble CM taking a close look at the Inscribed Pillar

Hon'ble CM Shri Nitish Kumar Ji taking to the District Magistrate Shri C Sridhar, IAS
Hon'ble CM with Chief Secretary Shri Naveen kumar, Principal Secretary, Shri Lalswata, Shri S Siddhartha (PS to CM), Shri C Sridhar, DM, Bettiah and others

Two Capitals of the the two Pillars of Rampurwa.
The Lion Capital is kept at Kolkotta Museum, Kolkotta
The Bull Capital is kept at Rastrapati Bhawan (President House), New Delhi
Picture Courtesy- Shri C Sridhar, IAS, District Magistrate, Bettiah

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