tilaurakot complex
Tilaurakot FortLocated approximately 25 kilometers east of Lumbini and about 4 kilometers north of Taulihawa, the modern district center of Kapilbastu Districtapprox. 30,000 inhabitants, are the archaeological remains of Tilaurakot. Thought to have been the citadel complex of the larger surrounding Kapilvastu Kingdom, founded by Lord Buddha's father Åuddhodana, the chief of the Shakya nation. Excavations have revealed a considerable walled fortress approximately 300 meters long and 200 meters wide and containing exposed foundations of several building complexes. Historically is is said that Prince Siddhartha grew up and spent his early life inside Tilaurakot to the age of 29, oblivious of worldly miseries outside. He was married to Yashodhara and had a son named Rahula. Upon confronting worldly miseries such as disease, aging and death, outside Tilaurakot's gates. He escaped Tilaurakot Fort one night from it's eastern gate, and riding eastward towards the jungles on his steed Kantaka, in search of enlightenment and in quest of answers to his questions about such miseries, pain and sufferings.
Tilaurakot Museum Some 150 meters before Tilaurakot's western gate the modern main entrance lies a small, neglected, but quaint museum housing jewelery and other ornaments, coins, painted grey ware and northern black polished ware pottery, and toys excavated from the site dating between the seventh century BC and fourth century AD.
