Top 3 Best Places Visiting in Pashchim Champaran for Nature, Heritage & Spirituality

1. Lauria Nandangarh

The West Champaran district in Bihar hosts Lauria Nandangarh which demonstrates the enormous size of the Mauryan Empire. The town serves as witness to various critical historical events of ancient times and continues to maintain its position as an essential archaeological and historic site. The attraction point for history fans and archaeologists and tourists consists of Ashokan Pillar and the ruins of monumental ancient stupa at Nandangarh.

The paramount landmark at Lauria Nandangarh displays the Ashokan Pillar as an antique sandstone monument that Emperor Ashoka the Great constructed as a monumental pillar. The architectural masterpieces of the Mauryan dynasty are powerfully exhibited through this pillar which remains a unique historical symbol today.

Height and Structure:
The Ashokan Pillar reaches a height of 32 feet through its construction of polished Chunar sandstone which resulted in its smooth shiny finish.

Lion Capital:
A powerful lion statue emerges from a circular abacus at the pinnacle while representing the dominance and fearless character and royal power of the imperial authority.

Inscriptions:
Ashoka’s edicts written on the pillar teach people about Dhamma’s correct principles and non-violence together with compassion and moral rules. The inscriptions on Ashoka Pillar demonstrate his earnest dedication to share Buddhist teachings after he became a follower of the faith following the Kalinga War.

Two kilometers west of the Ashokan Pillar exists Nandangarh which contains remnants of a substantial stupa from antiquity.

History

Mauryan Era Relics:
Archaeological studies confirm that Nandangarh presents the surviving remnants of a Mauryan stupa which served as a shrine to Buddha’s relics. The enormous size of the mound demonstrates the former existence of a grand worship center which led Buddhist practices during that period.

Archaeological Excavations:
At Nandangarh archaeological investigators discovered multiple artifacts both in pottery form and as terracotta figures along with historical coins that contribute important knowledge of Mauryan times.

Buddhist Connections:
The Nandangarh stupa stands out as an essential site in the regional dissemination of Buddhism which boosts its historical and religious significance.

2. Valmiki Tiger Reserve

Bihar maintains Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) as its biggest wildlife sanctuary and sole establishment to house tigers in the state. The Valmiki Tiger Reserve occupies the northern Bihar region specifically in West Champaran district where it defines the eastern Himalayan Terai forest frontiers in Indian territory. Tourists who want to explore nature and wildlife together with adventure seekers should visit the Valmiki Tiger Reserve because it contains an abundant mix of biodiversity alongside its dense forests and its beautiful surroundings.

Valmiki Tiger Reserve occupies location within the Gangetic Plains bio-geographic zone through its bhabar and terai tracts thus creating diverse ecological conditions in the reserve. The marshy Terai region merges with well-drained Bhabar belt which presents rocky terrain and tall grasslands alongside its abundant biodiversity.

The 899.38 sq km reserve includes Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park within its core zone boundaries.

The area near the India-Nepal border exists within the Valmiki-Chitwan-Parsa Tiger Conservation Landscape that extends towards Chitwan National Park in Nepal.

The vegetation of Valmiki Tiger Reserve includes wild grasslands and wetlands together with dense forest growth. The woodlands of the region primarily feature native Sal species along with Shorea Robusta and Semal together with Bamboo trees within their area of forest.

Conservation Efforts and Importance

Project Tiger established the Valmiki Tiger Reserve to protect declining Indian tiger populations nationally when it introduced this initiative in 1973. The Valmiki Tiger Reserve functions as an essential element for balancing the environment and protecting the distinctive animal diversity of Himalayan Terai.

Attributing great importance to Valmiki Tiger Reserve lies the close proximity to the Chitwan National Park in Nepal within a larger bordering conservation landscape.

3. Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram

The Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram near Bihar’s West Champaran district stands as a vital historical location because it was where Mahatma Gandhi launched his championship Champaran Satyagraha movement. Through his footsteps Mahatma Gandhi turned a modest spot into an emblem representing India’s anti-colonial struggle that also served as an educational and self-reliance empowerment institution.

History

British landlords subjected local farmers in Champaran to indigo farming system oppression when Mahatma Gandhi visited the area during 1917. Bhitiharwa served as one of the main bases for the Satyagraha movement under Gandhi during his early participation in India’s independence struggle.

Gandhi both educated public opinion about farmers’ conditions and worked to enhance the social environment by teaching basic health practices as well as skills of self-sustainability in this area.

What to Expect at Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram
Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram provides visitors with precious insights about Mahatma Gandhi’s life and the initial years of the independence movement. Visitors have the opportunity to study the deep artifacts and limited structures and displays which recount Gandhi’s Champaran residency experience.

Best Time to Visit

The optimal period to explore Bhitiharwa Gandhi Ashram stretches from October to March since the winter climate enables an enjoyable experience in the Ashram and its vicinity.

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