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Nearly after a lull of seven months, second phase of excavation works for reviving the glorious past of Krimila (Lakhisarai), the erstwhile power center of Pala dynasty and also an important Buddhist center in India has been started.

Besides, starting of the excavation works, Lakhisarai would have been connected with Buddhist Circuit soon. The state government has approved a building for museum and a road bridge on ancient river Krimikala (Kiul). The construction works which are on card would give a space for promoting tourism at Lakhisarai. The proposed bridge will connect Lali Pahari (Vihara), Ghosi Kundi (Stupa) and Bicchwe another Vihara of ancient period. A separate cluster for Buddhist heritage at “Anugotarap” would soon be ready before the world, claims the Bihar government source.

Prof Anil Kumar with CM, Nitish Kumar at Lakhisarai excavation site last year.

Earlier in the joint venture of Bihar Virasat Vikash Samity and Visva Bharati University excavation ( phase one) was started at this site on November 26, 2017 and continued till upto April 30, 2018. Nitish was present during the two occasions and time to time directed official concerned for smooth digging of the past. On the basis of phase one’s work and performance, the two organizations again applied for phase two’s work which subsequently permitted by CABA.

Meanwhile, the central advisory board of archaeology (CABA) has approved the proposal of Bihar Virasat Vikash Samity and Visva Bharati University which earlier sought extension for second phase of excavation work at Lali Pahari.

“We have received the approval of the CABA, the body of ASI which is also authorized to decide  whether to approve or disapprove excavation and exploration proposals from state’s archaeology department and other appropriate bodies,” told Prof. Anil Kumar, a senior teacher of faculty of history at Visva Bharati University and the team leader of Lali Pahari excavation.

Last year this unfinished sculpture of Avaloketesvara was stolen from Uren, Lakhisarai.

Prof. Kumar in the phase one excavation at Lali Pahari managed to establish the excavated ruins as a ‘Nunnery’ (monastery for Buddha Vikchnis-nuns) and his findings created sensation among the world. He was invited to Thailand at attain a conference of female monks there and he presented lecture and shown the Lali Pahri nunnery on projector there.

Prof. Kumar who along with his team members mostly research scholars and students of faculty of history at Visva Bharati University has started the excavation in phase two. “ We were waiting for the funds released by state government but the delay was hampering our works. Finally, I called on Nitish Kumar recently and made him aware of the facts. He however assured me and hence we are now able to start works again for the  excavation of second phase,” he told news5pm today.

According to him, more than 70 percent works at this site (Lali Pahari) remains incomplete and further historical and archaeological findings would be expected to come before the world after the proposed excavation. According to an established source, ASI, excavation branch-III, Patna which earlier was assigned for conducting the excavation of Uren site at Lakhisarai, this time gets approval from CABA for Rajuna, a village in front of Ashok Dham temple here.

Visitors gather at the excavation site at Lali Paharai, Jainagar on the occasion of new year’s day.

Lakhisarai has started to welcome number of tourists daily, mostly from abroad. A pilgrims troop from China is also scheduled to visit Lakhisarai soon. Recently former prime minister, Bhutan along with a troop of Buddhist pilgrims including Bhutan’s ambassador to Switzerland was excited  after visiting Lali Paharai Jainagar excavation site to witness the ancients remains of Buddhist monument including a nunnery dated back to Pala dynasty.

Jigmi Yoser Thinley and the other pilgrims offered prayer at the excavated site at Lali Pahari and they also visited other nearby places where excavation has been going on. “These are unique items for the entire world and it should be well preserved so that people from different parts of the world could witness it,” he has strengthened the need of proper conservation of such archaeological remains. He also urged Indian government to provide tourists facilities at such places so that people like him from abroad could not face any difficulty.