Ashokan Column or the Lion Pillar at Kolhua was built by Emperor Ashoka to commemorate Lord Buddha"s last sermon. There is a small tank nearby known as "Ramkund". Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and Kolhua, where he preached his last sermon. To commemorate this event, Emperor Ashoka, in the 3rd Century B.C. erected a lion pillar. About 100 years later, Vaishali hosted the 2nd Great Buddhist Council. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event.
Structure of Ashokan Column
Made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone the pillar is surmounted by a bell shaped 18.3 m high capital. A life-size figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua which 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 "Ramkund" 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 Archaeological Museum of Vaishali houses some of the archaeological remains discovered here.
