Lauria Nandangarh is a picturesque town located in the state of Bihar. Lauria Nandangarh is an important pilgrimage center for the Buddhists as there are six Ashokan edicts, the Ashokan pillar and a huge Stupa. The presence of these historical artifacts has made Lauria Nandangarh one of the most popular Buddhist pilgrim centers in India. Though this place is not directly related to Buddha but these constructions make it an important historical as well as religious site.

Historians and archaeologists are of the opinion that King Ashoka had constructed almost 40 pillars at Lauria Nandangarh in Bihar. But unfortunately currently only one pillar exists. It has an estimated height of 12 meters and is designed in remarkable Mauryan polish. It has braved the ravages of time and till date the polish is brilliant. This is one of the amazing features of the Buddhist site in Lauria Nandangarh.

The inscriptions on the pillars say that the six of Ashoka`s Edicts had been issued in the year 244 BC. The pillar is designed with a crouching lion but its face is missing. It is said that in the year 1660 AD the lion was shot with a cannon. This enormous Stupa is 24 metres high and its circumference measures up to nearly 457 meters. It is one of the biggest stupas that were ever built in India. The Stupa is one of the many monuments that Emperor Ashoka built to popularize Buddhism.

To arrive at Lauria Nandangarh in Bihar the traveler or the pilgrim needs to travel from Vaishali via Bettiah. Bus and taxi services are frequently available from the same place to arrive at Lauria Nandangarh.



Other Buddhist Piligrimage Centre in India are