The Shakyas of Kapilavastu are well known; the Koliyas, the Buddha's mother's clan, much less so. This loop focuses on their side of the story. We leave Lumbini at 7.30 am and drive east past Bhairahawa to Parasi and the Ramagrama stupa, arriving while the morning is still cool.
From Ramagrama we head north through Sunwal towards the foothills and Devdaha, the Koliya capital where Maya Devi and her sister Prajapati Gautami grew up. Sites here include a shrine to Maya Devi with a pond, ancient mounds and the Rohini river area, where tradition says the Buddha settled a water dispute between the Shakyas and Koliyas.
Lunch is in Butwal, a busy city at the foot of the hills, and we return to Lumbini by about 5 pm. Total driving is around 150 km, mostly on the East-West Highway and good district roads. The day suits pilgrims who have already seen Lumbini and Kapilavastu and want a fuller picture of the Buddha's family.
Good for
- Pilgrims
- Groups
- Seniors
- Families
Questions travellers ask
Who were the Koliyas?
The Koliyas were a clan neighbouring the Shakyas, with their capital at Devdaha and territory east of Kapilavastu. Maya Devi and Prajapati Gautami, the Buddha's mother and foster mother, were Koliya princesses, and Yasodhara, his wife, is also often described as Koliya. They received one of the eight relic shares, enshrined at Ramagrama.
Is the Koliya loop worth it if we have seen Lumbini?
Yes, if you are a pilgrim or keen on history. It completes the family geography of the Buddha's story and visits sites few tourists see. If you have only one extra day and limited interest in archaeology, a Kapilavastu circuit or the drive to Tansen may suit you better.
How long is the drive on the Koliya loop?
Expect about 150 km and 4.5–5 hours of total driving across the day, with roughly 1.5 hours to Ramagrama, 1.5 hours to Devdaha, and about 1.5 hours back to Lumbini from Butwal. Traffic around Butwal and Bhairahawa can add time in the afternoon.
