The seven-metre Ramagrama Stupa has been protected for hundreds of years by the grassy mound that covers it.

Ramagrama Stupa

The Ramagrama Stupa is said to be one of the eight places where the relics of Buddha’s body were put after his cremation. It is the only one that has never been opened.

Ramagrama lies in the midst of bucolic farmland and is surrounded by wetlands. – © Michael Turtle

Prayer flags and other Buddhist iconography decorate the base of the large bodhi tree that grows from the mound of the Ramagrama Stupa. – © Michael Turtle

There is a quiet park area with benches under the cool shade of trees for people to rest and reflect. – © Michael Turtle

Ramagrama is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Buddhists because it is the only untouched stupa containing relics of Buddha. – © Michael Turtle

Ramagrama lies in the midst of bucolic farmland and is surrounded by wetlands. – © Michael Turtle

It’s said that when Buddha died, his body was cremated and the remains were distributed to eight kingdoms. Each of these kingdoms buried the relics of Buddha in their own stupa. In the years since, all but one of them have been opened and the contents distributed across the world. The stupa that has never been opened is here at Ramagrama.

Because of its significance, the Ramagrama Stupa is on a Tentative List for consideration as a new World Heritage site. – © Michael Turtle

Legend says that Emperor Asoka came to the stupa at Ramagrama in 249 BC and planned to open it and retrieve the relics of Buddha. But, when he arrived, he had a vision of a snake god that told him not to interfere with the site, and so he left it alone and worshipped at it instead.

Today, all you’ll be able to see is a grassy mound but excavation work has determined that there is a stupa within it. Although experts have studied the site, there is an agreement to not open the stupa, to maintain its sanctity.

The mound was first discovered in 1899 and further research in 1964 confirmed there is a stupa contained within it. An excavation project in 1997 gathered more information. – © Michael Turtle

When you visit, you’ll also notice a large tree rising up from the mound. In fact, if you look closely, you’ll realise there are actually four trees of different species, intertwined and living in harmony. For pilgrims, it’s an important symbol that reflects the ideal of Buddhism.

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