Forgotten heritage: Tilaurakot

Though, Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha is being developed since last three decades as the master plan was built by Japanese Sculptor Kenjo Tage, Tilaurakot, (Old Kapilvastu) yet another important place of the life of Lord Buddha is ignored and perishing day by day in absence of conservation.

Tilaurakot, childhood home of Lord Buddha, lies 25 kms west of Lumbini is undoubtedly a major archaeological and tourist site of Nepal.

Situated nearby to Shivgarh village of Kapilvastu municipality, it is the place where prince Siddhartha had spent 29 years of his life and one of the popular imperial palace of king Shudhdodan.

Nowadays, there are only three remains left to this place which is situated in the banks of Banganga river, 3 kms north of Taulihawa, district headquarters of Kapilvastu. All these three remains are decayed and perishing in the absence of conservation and renovation.

There are three historical sites in Tilaurakot - palace, eastern and western gate. In the absence of conservation, historic and valuable bricks, windows and other remains of the palaces are rotting day by day. Historic stones and other remains are scattered. Walls of historic palace have collapsed. The palace is turning into a jungle because of trees and bushes.
 
It is pathetic that such important and historic site of Nepal has turned into cattle-grazing field. Everyday, villagers come and feed their cattle here. People come and take way the precious stones and other materials of the palace but there is none to stop them.

In the rainy season, water comes to the palace and the western gate which is weakening the construction of archaeological heritage, locals say.

1700 feet long in north south and 1300 feet long in east west, Tilaurakot palace is crumbling and collapsing. Apart from the absence of conservation, there is heap of garbage left by the visiting tourists which is spoiling the beauty and value of the historic site.

It is impossible to renovate and conserve Tilaurakot alone by the effort of local people, says Zuber Ahamed Khan, immediate past chairperson of Tilaurakot Village Development Committee. He says “Tilaurakot is not only the heritage of this district but it is historical site of the world but none has ever showed concern to preserve and conserve it. “

Khan also expressed his dissatisfaction by saying that even visiting to District Development Committee and Ministry couldn’t produce any fruitful results.

People visit here for peace and to get inspiration, but whoever visit this place become sad and sorry seeing the pathetic condition of one of the important place of the life of Lord Buddha.

Local stake holders and the residents say government has to develop this place which is able to disseminate the message of peace and harmony across the world.

Tourists and visitors even don’t know the importance and value of this historic site because local guides are not available in this place. Lumbini Development Fund (LDF), which is 25 kms far away from Tilaurakot, is also passive towards the renovation and development of it. Due to the politics in LDF, it has been difficult to conserve and preserve Tilaurakot, locals say.

Ramesh Sharma, immediate past president of DDC says the government hasn’t initiated any efforts to develop Tilaurakot.

“Government and ministers are always concerned to Lumbini, they don’t care Tilaurakot so this site is always ignored”, Sharma adds.

This place is frequently visited by the high-ranking officials of the government and the ministers and they always show their commitment to preserve and develop this place but once they return they forget about this place. Their commitment is always expressed in speeches and words not in works.

If not preserved and conserved on time, this valuable and important place of Nepal’s history and heritage one day can be limited in the pages of history books and photographs.