World`s second-largest stupa discovered

Patna, Feb 09: Archaeologists have discovered a huge Buddhist stupa in Bihar`s Nalanda district, officials said Monday.A team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) located the brick stupa at Ghorakatora, about 100 km from here.

"The latest stupa discovered at Ghorakatora is unique as it is second in size only to the Kesaria stupa in East Champaran district. The Kesaria stupa is regarded as the largest Buddhist stupa in the world," said Sujit Nayan, an archaeologist in charge of the team that made the discovery. The stupa is around 20 to 25 feet high, the official said. According to archaeologists, the find is likely to throw more light on the ancient Nalanda University. The ancient seat of learning is said to have been founded in 5th Century AD. Well-known Chinese scholar Hieun Tsang stayed in Nalanda in the 7th Century and left detailed description of the education system and monastic life practised at the university. IANS