Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

1122 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
Early medieval · Buddhist · India

Kesaria Stupa

Kesariya, East Champaran, Bihar · 26.3342°, 84.8549°

Buddha (relic stupa)Pala (Mauryan origin)Terraced mandala stupaBuddhist circuit
Sacred since
250 BCE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
present structure Pala, 8th–12th c.; origin c. 250 BCE
Pala (Mauryan origin)

History & significance

One of the tallest and largest Buddhist stupas in India, a terraced mandala-form mound about 32 m high whose visible fabric is of the Pala period over a core attributed to Ashoka; its plan invites comparison with Borobudur.

Sthala katha — the legend

Local tradition connects the stupa with the alms bowl the Buddha gave the Licchavis of Vaishali.

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Related sites

Relic Stupa and Ashokan Pillar, Vaishali
Vaishali · India
c. 5th–3rd c. BCE
Griddhakuta (Vulture Peak)
Rajgir · India
associated with the Buddha's lifetime; structures undated
Mahaparinirvana Temple, Kushinagar
Kushinagar · India
present temple 1956, over ancient stupa remains
Jetavana, Shravasti
Shravasti · India
built in the Buddha's lifetime by Anathapindika
Sankissa
Sankisa, Farrukhabad · India
3rd c. BCE (Ashokan pillar and stupa)
Kaushambi (Kosambi)
Kosam, Kaushambi · India
fortified city, 8th c. BCE – 2nd c. CE

Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Pala (Mauryan origin)