Forgotten place in Rajasthan with rich example of Buddhist architecture

It is the earliest freestanding Buddhist Chaityagriha in India, perched atop Bijak-ki-Pahadi, and believed to date from the Ashokan Era.

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It's built around a 1.6-meter diameter stupa at its center, with 26 wooden octagonal columns surrounding it in an internal circle.

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Once the capital of the Matsya kingdom, Viratnagar holds deep roots from Mahabharata, as the refuge for Pandavas during their exile.

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The ancient town of Viratnagar, formerly known as Bairat, lies north of Jaipur, housing remnants of an ancient Buddhist monastery complex.

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It evolved from a center of Vedic sacrifices to a thriving hub of Buddhism between the 3rd century BCE and 1st century CE.

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The legacy of Ashoka is articulated in his Minor Rock Edicts found nearby, emphasizing his belief in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.

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It was excavated in 1864-65 by British archaeologist Sir Alexander Cunningham, and unearthed flourishing of Buddhism under Ashoka's patronage.

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The decline of Buddhism in the region over the centuries, left Viratnagar Stupa largely forgotten.

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But it is significant as an invaluable example of Buddhist architecture and Rajasthan's hidden treasures.

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