Footsteps of Bodhisattava Siddhārtha on Prāgbodhi Hill
Shadow cave, Prāgbodhi Hill (now Dungeswari Hill) has a series of
stūpas remains running from East to West on its top. The 7th CE
Chinese monk-scholar Xuanzang who undertook pilgrimage to these stūpas mentions
these stūpas were dedicated by emperor Ashoka to mark the footsteps of Bodhisattva Siddhārtha. From
centuries of neglect, these stūpas are in a deplorable condition and need
protection and conservation.
Six years of practice (austerities) at the East bank of Nirāñjanā
is an integral part of the Enlightenment of the Buddha under the Bodhi tree
(Mahābodhi, now Bodhgayā, on the West bank of Nirāñjanā). The places and events associated
with the Austerities (that includes Ashokan stūpas on Prāgbodhi Hill) and the Enlightenment of the Buddha should be integrated
and developed into an ‘Enlightenment Zone’.
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| Fig. Prāgbodhi Hill has a series of remains of Ashokan stūpas on its top. @Alok Jain |
