Siwan has not been included in the Buddhist circuit despite its connect with Lord Budhha.

Residents, naturally, are unhappy with the exclusion. Researcher Krishna Kumar Singh has declared that Buddha's links with Siwan is undisputed.

Krishna said: "Siwan is the district where Lord Buddha took his last meal at the house of Sonar Chund at Papaur. Afterwards, Buddha crossed Daha and Sona rivers, earlier known as Kakuchha and Hiranyavati, respectively and reached Titira village where he breathed his last. That place is still identified as Vanigadh at Bangra in Titira village. Idols of Buddha and mridubhands (earthen utensils) of that age can be found in plenty. Despite these proof, Siwan has not been included in the circuit."

He added:"An English archaeologist, Dr Hoye, first brought this place to light in 1899. He discovered Indo-Bactrian coins here. Lord Buddha had reached Papaur covering Rajgrih, Vaishali, Bhanda Gaya (Paru block) Haathi Gawa, Amba Gaya, Jambu Gaya, Goreyakothi and stayed at the mango orchard of Chund. Chund stayed at Pawa. Chund had invited Buddha at meal. After consuming the food, Buddha fell ill and ultimately died. There is a big mound here where idols of Buddha and mridubhands are found. The ASI is about to start excavation work here."

Krishna has been working on the travels of Buddha enroute Siwan district and has researched on it. "Papaur holds an important place amongst Buddhists, as Buddha had taken his last meal here. The Malla caste of Pawa had found a metal Buddha idol over which they constructed a stupa, he said. Krishna said Pawa and Kushi Nagar (Uttar Pradesh) are not far off from each other.

Titira village is situated under Ziradai block. Hoye, during his survey, had found a big stupa here in 1899. This stupa has been mentioned in Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang's narrative. The village was named Titira after this stupa.

However, Tititra has not yet been fully explored. Vanhadh at Titira Bangra is the place where Buddha is said to have breathed his last. Krishna said Emperor Asoka has got constructed three stupas at the place where Buddha died. The stupas are still here and idols of Buddha and mridubhands are found here. These stupas are known as Vani Gadh, Muia Gadh and Bharthui Gadh.

Krishna said many books of Rahul Sankrityayan and others like On the foot prints of the Buddha by Jagdishwar Pandey, Buddhist records of the western world by Samuel Beal and Directory of Bihar archaeology by B.P. Sinha have mentioned words like marna, tarna, sirisia, mathikhan, bhanwar bari, dah, vanigadh, which are related to Buddha.

The history of Siwan and Kushinara is identical. The distance of Kushinara from other Buddhist places is accurate with this place. This has been mentioned in books of Chinese authors like Fahiyan and Huensang.So , <>A thorough study is needed and Siwan must be included in the Buddha circuit, Krishna said.

Krishna said many times Siwan district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Singh and other officials visited the place and assured of giving this place its due importance. He is hopeful that soon these records would attract historians and archaeologists and work would begin in right direction to include Siwan in the circuit.