Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and Kolhua, where he preached his last sermon. To commemorate this event, Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected a lion pillar. A hundred years later Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event.
A life size-pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha`s last sermon and announcement of his approaching nirvana. The lion faces north, the direction Buddha took on his last voyage. Adjacent to this is the tank associated with the monkeys offering honey. Nearby are the skeletal remains of a monastery where Buddha resided and votive stupas dot the region. The Vaishali museum houses some of the archaeological remains discovered here.
