Kolhuwa

Kolhuwa is a historical village and archaeological site located in the Vaishali district of Bihar, India. It is significant in Buddhist history as the place where the Buddha is believed to have delivered his last sermon and announced his impending Parinirvana.

Kolhuwa is also known for the Ashokan Pillar, a single sandstone pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. The pillar is capped with a life-size lion, which faces north. This pillar marks the spot where the Buddha gave his final discourse.

The site also contains the remains of a brick stupa, built to commemorate the Buddha's last sermon, and a tank known as Markata Hrada, or the Monkey Tank, associated with a story from the Buddha's life where monkeys offered him honey. Archaeological excavations at Kolhuwa have uncovered evidence of monastic complexes and other structures dating back to the Mauryan and Gupta periods.

Kolhuwa is an important pilgrimage destination for Buddhists and is considered a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The site provides valuable insights into the spread of Buddhism and the reign of Emperor Ashoka.