File:Stupa at Archeological remains of Vaishali, Kolhua in Bihar, India 02.jpg

English: Stupa at Archeological remains of Vaishali, Kolhua in Bihar, India.

Kolhua, a part and parcel of ancient city of Vaishali marks the spot where a local chief of monkeys had offered a bowl of honey to lord Buddha. The event is regarded as one of the eight most significant events of his life according to the Buddhist literature. This was the place where Buddha spent many a rainy seasons, allowed nuns to the sangha for the first time, announced his approaching nirvana and converted Amrapali from a proud court dancer to a nun the recent excavations conducted by archaeological survey of India have revealed remains of Kutagarshala, Swastika shaped monastery, a tank, number of votive stupas and miniature shrines in addition to Main Stupa and the Asokan Pillar which were partly exposed earlier.

The pillar locally known as Lat is 11.00 metres high monolithic polished sand stone column surmounted by a seated lion capital it is probably one of the earliest pillars of Asoka which does not bear the usual edict. But a few letters in shell character of Gupta period are engraved on it.

The Brick Stupa was erected to commemorate the event of offering honey to Buddha by the monkey chief. It was originally built during Mauryan period and subsequently enlarged in Kushana Period by raising the height and providing brick paved circumambulatory path further brick encasing and addition of ayakas at regular interval took place during Gupta and late Gupta periods.

The adjoining tank has been identified as markat-hrid supposedly dug by the monkeys for buddha this brick lined seven tiered tank measuring approximately 65 x 35 metres in dimension has two bathing ghats on southern and western wings. Beads of semi precious stones, terracotta figurines, seals & sealings bricks embedded with semi precious stones, inscribed potsherd and a unique terracotta figure of crowned monkey are some noteworthy antiquities found during excavations of this site!