Gotihawa
Mauryan Ashokan (244 BCE) to early historic Buddhist·Mauryan Ashokan (Kapilavastu Sakya)·🇳🇵 Lumbini Province, Kapilvastu District, Gotihawa village, Nepal
About
About Gotihawa
Gotihawa is an Ashokan pillar site (244 BCE) and early Buddhist stupa 20 km west of Lumbini, marking Kakusandha Buddha's birthplace with cracked brick stupa (12 m) and pillar stump (2.1 m) with Brahmi inscription.
Why it mattersKey Mauryan Ashokan (Kapilavastu Sakya) temple-complex with stratified sequence and regional trade significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.244 BCE
- Period
- Mauryan Ashokan (244 BCE) to early historic Buddhist
- Culture
- Mauryan Ashokan (Kapilavastu Sakya)
- Purpose
- Ancient city and ceremonial centre
- Abandoned
- 13th century
- Rediscovered
- 1970s excavation
- Excavation
- Excavated
On the ground
Structures & features
27.5186° N · 83.0383° E · 98 m · 3 mapped features
Ashokan Pillar Stump
inscription2.1-m Chunar sandstone stump with Brahmi fragment
27.5186° N · 83.0383° EKakusandha Stupa
stupa12-m-diameter brick stupa with terracotta
27.5189° N · 83.0386° EBanganga Terrace
hydraulicPaddy terrace with Mauryan sherds
27.5183° N · 83.0380° E