“Currently, the Stupa stands with six visible terraces above ground. Each terrace contains a series of cells, and the structure is surmounted by a cylindrical drum composed of solid brickwork. Recent excavations suggest the existence of an additional terrace below the present ground level, which would increase the estimated dimensions of the Stupa,” read the post by the ASI.Officials said red-colour ware shards and bone fragments have been found near the open drains. The rammed floor comprises ‘brick jelly top’ and ‘kankar’ granules at the bottom. It was plastered with lime and rested over a brick paved floor, officials shared.“Two cells containing partial stucco Buddha images were uncovered on the third terrace, along with paved brick areas. The cell on the northern corner had the lower portion of a seated Buddha image in stucco placed along the central wall. The central cell had a small seated image of Buddha in stucco (only lower part) along its right wall,” officials said.Lord Budhha, on his last journey, spent atop Kesaria, where he made sensational announcements, which were later on recorded in the Jataka tales (collection of Buddhist myths detailing past lives of the Buddha).‘May prove earlier assumptions incorrect’Before the 1934 earthquake in Bihar, the height of Kesariya Stupa was 123 feet. According to ASI, when Buddhism thrived in India, the Stupa was around 150 feet. Presently, it stands at 104 feet. “Recent excavations suggest the existence of an additional terrace below the present ground level, which would increase estimated dimensions of the Stupa,” ASI said.
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