07/09/2025
The Vaishali Ashokan Pillar is an 18.3-meter-tall, red sandstone pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka, topped with a life-size lion statue, and located in the ancient city of Vaishali (modern-day Kolhua).
Key Features and Significance Mauryan Dynasty:
The pillar was erected by Emperor Ashoka, a ruler of the Mauryan dynasty (322–185 BCE), and showcases the influence of his conversion to Buddhism.
Lion Capital:
Unlike some other Ashokan pillars, the Vaishali lion capital faces north, symbolizing the direction Buddha took on his final journey and representing the end of Ashoka's warrior path and the start of his spiritual one.
Location:
Situated in Kolhua village, about 65 km northwest of Patna in Bihar, the pillar is adjacent to a brick stupa, the site of the second Buddhist Council, and a small tank known as Ramkund.
Construction:
The pillar is a single piece of red sandstone and is known for being one of the heaviest and best-preserved Ashokan pillars.
Religious Importance:
Vaishali is considered the birthplace of Lord Mahavira and a significant site where Buddha delivered his last sermon, making the pillar a crucial landmark for both Buddhist and Jain religions.
Preservation:
The Vaishali pillar is one of only two Ashokan pillars to have survived intact in their original location.
