1300-Year-Old Gold and Silver Relics Unearthed Beneath Thailand's Oldest Reclining Buddha Statue in 2025

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  In April 2025, Thailand's Fine Arts Department announced a significant archaeological discovery at Wat Dhammachak Semaram (also spelled Wat Thammachak Semaram) in Sung Noen District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand. During routine conservation work, workers uncovered a collection of well-preserved gold, silver, and bronze artifacts buried beneath the base of the temple's colossal sandstone reclining Buddha statue. This statue, measuring over 13 meters (approximately 43 feet) in length, is widely regarded as Thailand's oldest and longest reclining Buddha sculpture, dating back to the 7th century CE during the height of the Dvaravati period (6th–11th centuries CE). The Discovery Process and Initial Findings The artifacts came to light incidentally during efforts to install an underground drainage system aimed at reducing moisture accumulation around the statue's foundation. On April 21, 2025, at a depth of about 1.3 meters, workers encountered a damage...
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Kesaria stupa: world's largest buddhist stupa.

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 The Kesaria stupa: Built to honor Buddha's final days–

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Kesaria stupa

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According to some scholars, this is the place where prince Gautama cut his hair to renounce the world, after leaving his palace. Other scholars believe that actual place was nearer from kapilavastu.

                         It is believed that the current structure was built somewhere between 200 AD and 750 AD to honor the location where buddha spent his begging bowl. The structure is a fine example of Buddhist architecture.

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https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com

https://ancientbuddha91.blogspot.com

In the time of Buddha, it was known as kessaputta. Lord buddha said to have made several announcements from here, which later formed part of the Jatka tales. Huen tsang mentions having seen the grand stupa in kia-shi-po-lo (kesariya) but it was deserted and vegetation had overgrown. It is believed that lord buddha spent a night at this place before his nirvana and have his begging-bowl to the lichhivis. Lichhivis are alleged to have built this stupa ,as a commemoration of the end-life of lord buddha. A six floors structure, kasaria stupa stands as a reminder to last days of lord buddha and his humanitarian approach towards people,independence of caste and creed. There are also a number of lord buddha images,in "bhoomi sparsh mudra" and other sitting postures.

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Buddha in bhumi sparsh mudra 

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Buddha in bhumi sparsh mudra
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Buddha in bhumi sparsh mudra
There are also a number of lord buddha images,in "bhoomi sparsh mudra" and other sitting postures.kesaria stupa is one foot taller than the borobodur stupa in java. It is also taller than the second largest stupa at ghorakatora in the nalanda district. The initial height of kesaria stupa, during the flourishing days of Buddhism in india,was approximately 150ft. By 1934,when a massive earthquake shook india, the height of stupa got abridged to 123ft. After the earthquake, it further sank in the ground and got reduced its present  height.According to A.S.I report, present height of kesaria stupa is 105ft and borobodur is 103ft.
Borobodur Buddhist temple
Borobodur Buddhist temple
Kesaria stupa
Kesaria stupa


History of kesaria stupa – 

The stupa has an interesting history as well. The original kesaria stupa dated  to time of Ashoka(circs250BCE) as the remains of capital of a pillar of Ashoka were discovered there. The stupa significant Chinese buddhist monk and travelers who left some written words about it. Faxian during his travels in the 5th century, mentioned a stupa that was erected over Buddha's alms bowl by the licchavis of vaishali. 
Begging bowl of buddha

At first, it was a mud stupa before it gained its current stature during the Maurya, kushana and sunga periods. During excavation that took place in 1998, a number of items were found in the place . 

some of them included arrow heads, Islamic coins ,earthen lamps, decorated bricks, terracotta items and copper items. The discoveries led to kesaria stupa becoming one sought after tourist attraction site in the world. For the buddhist, the stupa serves as as a holy site for pilgrimage the world over. With its towering height, it is a reminder to people of the lord Buddha's last days and what he stood for which is a gentle and compassionate approach towards everyone. kesaria is a small city in bihar, india. It is famous for being the site of the biggest stupa of india. Kesaria used to be called kesaputta during the time of the Buddha.

                         Kesaria stupa has a circumference of almost 1400 feet and raises to a height of about 104 feet. The striking similarity between kesaria & borobodur is that both stupas have six floors or terraces, and the diameter of the kesaria stupa is equal to that of the width of the borobodur. The diameter of kesaria stupa could be larger as it has not been fully excavated.

Kesaria stupa excavation –

The stupa was discovered in 1958 during an excavation led by archeologist KK Muhammed of the ASI, india. The local people call this stupa "devala", meaning " house of god". Before the excavation of this, they believed that inside it there is a temple of Shiva built by king bhema, a Hindu god.

                         The ASI has declared the stupa a protected monument of national importance. But despite being a popular tourist attraction, kesaria is yet to be developed and a large part of the stupa still remained under vegetation.

Panoramic view of kesaria stupa






Location: Bihar

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