Ashoka's lion pillar at Kolhua
Kolhua, a few kilometres from the main Vaishali sites, holds a pillar raised in the 3rd century BCE by the emperor Ashoka. Unlike most of his pillars, it is complete: a single shaft of polished sandstone topped by a bell-shaped capital and a seated lion facing north. It has no Ashokan edict inscribed on it.
Beside it stands a brick stupa, often linked to the Buddha's disciple Ananda, and a rectangular tank called Ramkund. Legend says monkeys dug the tank for the Buddha and offered him a bowl of honey, a scene often shown in Buddhist art. Excavations have also revealed the foundations of a monastery and shrines around the courtyard.
The site is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, with gardens and a small entry fee. It is usually quiet. Your guide explains Vaishali's role in the Buddha's life and the early spread of Buddhism, and the pillar's link with his final journey north.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Why is the Vaishali Ashokan pillar important?
It is one of the most complete of the pillars raised by Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, with its polished shaft and single lion capital still in place. It marks a site associated with the Buddha's time in Vaishali, and the lion faces north, towards Kushinagar, where he died.
Is there an entry fee at Kolhua?
Yes, a modest fee set by the Archaeological Survey of India, with higher rates for foreign visitors. The site is usually open from sunrise to sunset. Check current status before you travel. Photography is allowed in the open grounds. Carry water, as there is little shade.
How long does it take to see Vaishali?
About three hours covers Kolhua, the relic stupa, Abhishek Pushkarini and the peace pagoda. Add an hour for Mahavira's birthplace memorial. Most travellers see Vaishali on the drive between Patna or Rajgir and Kesaria or Kushinagar. A picnic lunch keeps the day on schedule.
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