** Despite similar names, Lauriya Areraj and Lauriya Nandangarh are two different sites about 60 km apart in East and West Champaran districts respectively; both sites have Ashokan Pillar bearing edicts.
| IMPORTANCE OF THE PILGRIMAGE SITE: |
| 1. Possibly, Areraj derives its name from the ascetic Alara Kalama, Siddharth’s first teacher who had his ashram in this area. Areraj pilgrimage site is associated with early ascetic phase of Buddha’s life at Alara Kalama’s hermitage. |
| 2. Ashokan Pillar: Ashoka the Great commemorated the site of Lauriya Areraj with a Dhamma Stambh which bears six of his edicts. The capital is missing from the pillar. It is said that the pillar originally had Garuda capital. The pillar bears six pillar edicts in Brahmi. |
| 3. A recent excavation by ASI had found evidence of monastery on the eastern side of Ashokan Pillar in Areraj. |
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION:
| Country | India |
| State | Bihar |
| District | East Champaran |
| Sub-division | Areraj |
| Block | Areraj |
| Village | Lauriya |
| Postal Code | 845411 |
| Coordinates | 26°33’0” N; 84°38’51”E |
| Google map link | https://goo.gl/maps/SHkykDXZuVPVukGb6 |
GOOGLE MAP:
SOURCES:
1.ASHOKA by Radhakumud Mookerji
2. BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE by Huu Phuoc Le Grafikol
3. INDIAN ARCHAEOLOGY 2013-14 A REVIEW Excavation at Lauriya Areraj District East Champaran Bihar pp 7- 8
SELECTED VIDEOS:
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Editor at Scientific European
An alumnus of BITS, Pilani and the London School of Economics, Umesh writes and edits for "Scientific European" and "The India Review".
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