Monumental Discovery

In July Indian archeologists announced that they have excavated one of the world's tallest Buddhist stupas at Kesaria, about 100km from the Patna, in the north-eastern Indian state of Bihar. The 104-ft shrine is slightly taller than the famous stupa in the Borobudur complex in Java, Indonesia, and some are claiming that it is the largest stupa in the world. This stupa, which dates back to the sixth century, is being described as one of the most significant Buddhist discoveries of recent years. Legend identifies its location as the place where the Buddha handed over his begging bowl to the people of Vaishali, an ancient city near Patna, during his final journey to Kushinagar, where he died.