We arrive from Taulihawa and walk through the gate to the main stupa mound. Your guide sets the scene: seven years after leaving the palace, the Buddha returned with a large company of monks and stayed in the banyan grove outside the city. King Suddhodana, at first hurt to see his son begging for alms, came to hear him teach.
Moving to the monastery foundations, we hear the story of Rahula. Prompted by his mother Yasodhara, the boy followed the Buddha and asked for his inheritance; the Buddha answered by having him ordained, offering, as the texts say, a spiritual inheritance instead of a throne. The episode led to the rule that children need their parents' consent to be ordained.
Pilgrims usually circle the stupas, offer flowers and spend a few minutes in silence or chanting. The whole visit takes about 45 minutes, and the flat ground suits all ages. There is little shade, so carry a hat outside the winter months.
Good for
- Pilgrims
- Seniors
- Families
- Groups
Questions travellers ask
What happened at Kudan according to Buddhist tradition?
Kudan is identified with Nigrodharama, the banyan grove near Kapilavastu where the Buddha stayed when he returned home after enlightenment. Tradition says he met his father King Suddhodana here and ordained his son Rahula as a novice monk. Some accounts also place the ordination of several Shakya princes here.
How long does a visit to Kudan take?
About 30–45 minutes for the stupas and the monastery foundations, a little longer if your group chants or meditates. It is usually combined with Gotihawa, a few kilometres away, and Tilaurakot, 7 km north, in a half-day Kapilavastu circuit from Lumbini.
Is there an entry fee at Kudan?
There is usually no formal ticket at Kudan, though a caretaker may welcome a small donation towards upkeep. Arrangements can change as the site is developed, so check current status before you travel. Our packages cover any fees or donations on your behalf.
