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About Kapilvastu
Area: 6 sq. km.
Population: 3900 (2001 census)
Altitude:100 mtrs above sea
level
Season: October-April
Clothing: Summer - Cottons;
Winter - Woolens
Languages and Dialacts :
Bhojpuri, Avadhi, Hindi, English
Local Transport: Taxi Cabs,
Tempo/Tonga/Rickshaw
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Identified today with ancient Kapilvastu,
moderm Piprahwa lies at a distance of 20 km from Siddharthnagar (Naugarh).
Kapilvastu was the ancient capital of the Sakya clan whose ruler was the
father of the Buddha, for which reason the Buddha is also referred to as the
Sakyamuni. The Sakya domain was one of the sixteen independent
principalities of the 6th century BC. Prince
Gautam, as the Buddha was then known, left his palace in Kapilvastu at the
age of 29, and revisited it 12 years later, long after he had attained
enlightenment.
Today, Kapilvastu Comprises of Several villages, chief
among them being Piprahwa and Ganvaria. A large stupa stands at the ancient
site which is said to have housed the bone relics of the Buddha. The
presence of these relics are testified by an ancient Brahmi inscription
discovered at Piprahwa. The ruins of the palace are spread over a large
area.
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