In 1898, an Englishman Mr. Peppe excavated a burial mound (stupa) near Piprahwa on the Nepalese border, the area believed to be the city of Kapilavastu, and discovered Buddha relics in an urn inscribed with ancient scripts. This relic was believed to be the portion received by the Sakya clan after the cremation of the Buddha's mortal remains.

At that time, Marquis Curzon was the viceroy of India. As such Curzon decided to present the relic to King Rama V. His Majesty sent Phraya Sukhum Naya-Winit (Chao Phraya Yomaraj Pan Sukhum parien), as the Thai representative to bring in the Buddha Relic. Then Buddhists from Japan, Burma, Lanka, ans Siberia began to request for a share of the Buddha Relic. His Majesty distributed the Relic accordingly. The rest of the Relic was inserted into a bronze pagoda casted by Royal Command. In 1899 (2442 B.E.) the pagoda was installed in a Royal Ceremony on the top of the Golden Mount.

See also: http://www.bangkoksite.com/temples/WatSrakes1.htm

Main historical places in Buddha Gaya, with photos.

Located in a calm and serene area of Lumbini World Heritage garden peripherial and yet so close to the sanctum of the sacred pilgrimage, you can feel the spirit.

You may wake up to the sound of chirping of birds and religious hymns and take a morning walk to Sacred Garden, mediate in ancient archeological ruin or in front of Ashoka Pilar in totally pollution free environment. In day time, you can visit to Monastic Zone to see the facinating archeological ruins, and magnificent monsteries and monuments.

In evening, stroll in the Tharu village at Buddha Nagar to observe age old culture and tradition. Or simply enjoy the breath taking magnificent sunset over the vast horizon of terai paddy fields from the hotel's wide varandah.

Among the sites featured is Tilaurakot (Kapilavatthu):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapilavastu
http://www.island.lk/2003/01/22//midwee07.html
http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/f/fa-hien/f15l/chapter22.html
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=39,5547,0,0,1,0

The Relic was found at the main stupa of Mahatat Temple where it was built more than 600 years ago, in a stone case about 16 meters under the ground. Now it is exhibited at the Ayutthaya National Museum.

The ninth Drona Stupa, which is said to be the site where the last rites of Lord Buddha were performed, has been located at Bhagwanganj village under Masaurih sub-division in Patna district.

A comprehensive guide to the Path of the Lord Buddha ... An Invitation to submit your pilgrimages stories, pictures etc ... Complete essay on Buddhist Pilgrimage by Bro Chan Khoon San.

These were excavated at Piprahwa in District Basti of Uttar Pradesh, North-West of India near Nepal border, in 1972 by the Archaeological Survey of India. The site has been identified with Kapilvastu, the home town of the Buddha Sakyamuni. It is the same site where the Buddha relic was first excavated by Mr. Peppe, an English engineer in AD 1897, more than 100 years ago.

Now the relics are displayed in the golden pavillion at the National Museum of India, New Delhi.

See also: http://www.nationalmuseumindia.gov.in/arch.html

This account of selected archaeological sites in India by Victor Gunasekara deals with archaeological remains in the area where the Buddha exercised his ministry.

The Buddhist Heritage Research Foundation is the only Organization in India dedicated to updating the history and present day existence of the 'forgotten Buddhist sites' with an aim to produce modern academic information about them as well as assist the Government Department to promote them as pilgrimage sites.

The Foundation was started by Suresh Bhatia, better known as the 'Peace Pilgrim' in the year 2000, since then a number of sites have been explored and brought to the Tourist Map.

A detailed tour of BuddhaGaya, Rajgriha, Nalanda, Sarnath, Shravasti, Sankashya, Kusinagar and Lumbini, with photos, at the website of Wat Thai Buddhagaya. An original text by Jeremy Russell is available at http://www.buddhismtoday.com/english/holyplaces/001a-intro.htm .

Main Buddhist pilgrimage and historical sites, with photos and map.
The second part is available on the page http://www.mahindarama.com/mbt/holysite2.htm .

- Sacred Island - A Pilgrim's Guide to Sri Lanka;
- A Pilgrim's Guide to India;
- The Significance of Pilgrimage;
- The Four Holy Sites (Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kusinara).

Provides information on hotels, temples, and tours in Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar.

Chinese, Japanese, Korean and French translations available.

Information on Buddhism, Buddhist sites, festivals, architecture and links to databases of tours and hotels.

An exclusive website providing buddhist tour packages in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Also providing a complete information about Buddhist Pilgrimage packages, destinations and the life of the Buddha, His birth place, place of His enlightenment and His teachings.

Online book. A rendering by Ven. S. Dhammika & links concerning Buddhism, esp. in India.

A pilgrimage through India and Nepal with Shantum Seth:
Lumbini, Kapilavastu, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Sarnath, Varanasi, Sravasti, Kushinagar.

Pilgrimages to Asia as a transformative experience.

About Kusinara, the place where the Buddha entered Parinibbana. Info about existing temples, history, etc.

The most sacred place where Siddhartha Gautama attained the Supreme Enlightenment and became the Buddha.