Tilaurakot to be listed as world heritage site

By Our Correspondent

Taulihawa, Aug. 3: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Jeevan Ram Shrestha has said that the government will take the process of getting Tilaurakot, where Siddhartha Gautam, better known as the Buddha, spent 29 years of his life, enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site forward.

Minister Shrestha said that his ministry was focused on preserving and promoting places related to Buddha’s life.  He also claimed that Tilaurakot would be developed as a pilgrimage site for adherents of Buddhism and other religions of the world.

Shrestha made these remarks on Tuesday when visiting Tilaurakot accompanied by officials from the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT). He also visited the twin stupas, dedicated to the parents of Gautam Buddha Suddhodhan and Mayadevi, Kudan and Gotihawa. 

On the occasion, LDT Member Secretary Sanuraja Shakya briefed the minister about the excavations carried out in the Tilaurakot area.