LOCATION
Located on the bank of Jharhi river, Ramgram municipality of Nawalparasi is situated between Ujaini and Deurwa, about 4 km southeast of Nawalparasi district headquarters Parasi.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
After Lord Gautama Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana (death), there was a dispute over the distribution of his relics. The Koliya king claimed a share and brought Buddha’s body to establish the Ramgram Stupa.
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUPA
Ramgram Stupa is one of the original eight stupas containing the remains of Buddha. It is the only stupa out of the eight which is intact and unexcavated.
ROLE OF EMPEROR ASHOKA
After his conversion to Buddhism, Emperor Ashoka began a campaign to excavate the original stupas to build more stupas and distribute the relics more widely. Although he excavated stupas in other areas like Magadha, Vaishali, Kushinagar, Pava, Alakappa, Bedpeeth, and Kapilavastu, he did not excavate Ramgram Stupa due to the Nagavanshi’s insistence.
PATRONAGE AND WORSHIP BY THE NAGAVANSHIS
Historically, the Nagavanshi clan has been protecting and worshiping the Ramgram Stupa. Their stubbornness prevented Emperor Ashoka from excavating this stupa, thus preserving its original form.
MENTIONED BY CHINESE TRAVELERS
Chinese travelers Faxian and Xuanzang, who visited in the 5th and 7th centuries respectively, documented their visit to the Ramgram Stupa in their travelogues. Their accounts provide historical evidence of the stupa’s importance and its place in the network of Buddhist shrines.
CURRENT STATUS
Ramgram Stupa is included in the list of World Heritage Sites. It is recognized in Buddhism for its historical and religious significance as one of the original sites containing the remains of the Buddha.
