Heritage · Ramagrama
The Koliya country: Ramagrama and Devdaha
A full day east of Lumbini through the land of the Koliyas, the Buddha's mother's clan: the relic stupa at Ramagrama, then Devdaha's sites linked with Maya Devi, Prajapati Gautami and Yashodhara.
Most pilgrims follow the Shakya side of the Buddha's family, west of Lumbini. This day goes east into the country of the Koliyas, whose daughters married into the Shakya house: his mother Maya Devi, his aunt and foster mother Prajapati Gautami, and by tradition his wife Yashodhara.
We leave Lumbini early for Ramagrama, about 2 hours, and spend the morning at the relic stupa and the river. After lunch in Parasi or on the road, we drive north to Devdaha at the foot of the Chure hills to visit the Maya Devi temple at Bhawanipur and the Kanya Mai shrine.
We end at Devdaha's great pakari tree before driving back to Lumbini, or on to Butwal if you are heading to Tansen next.
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Questions
Who were the Koliyas?
The Koliyas were a clan whose territory lay east of the Shakyas, across the Rohini river. Buddhist texts say the two clans intermarried: the Buddha's mother Maya Devi and his foster mother Prajapati Gautami were Koliyan, and tradition says his wife Yashodhara was too. Devdaha and Ramagrama were Koliya towns.
How much driving is the Koliya day?
About 180 km in total: roughly 65 km from Lumbini to Ramagrama, then on to Devdaha, and back to Lumbini or Butwal. Allow 9–10 hours including stops. Roads are mostly paved highway with short stretches of village road.
Can I visit Ramagrama on the way from Lumbini to Chitwan?
Yes. Ramagrama lies a short way south of the East-West Highway, which you follow from Lumbini towards Narayanghat and Chitwan. The detour and visit add about 2 hours to a 6–7 hour drive. Adding Devdaha as well makes for a very long day, so we usually split them.
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