Parliament Question: Excavation and Conservation of Dona's Stupa in Siwan

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2369 ANSWERED ON-03.08.2026 EXCAVATION AND CONSERVATION OF DONA'S STUPA IN SIWAN

2369. SHRI MANOJ KUMAR:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has taken note of the historic Dona's Stupa located in the Don village of Darauli Block of Siwan District in Bihar, which is historically chronicled in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta and visited and recorded by the ancient traveler Hiuen Tsang.

(b) whether the ASI has conducted, or plans to conduct, any scientific excavations on the grassy mound/hill site to fully uncover the remains of the ancient Buddhist stupa;

(c) details of specific conservation and restoration measures being taken by the Government to protect the stupa; and

(d) the details of steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve infrastructure and promote this isolated site as part of the formal Buddhist Pilgrimage Circuit? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) The historic Dona's Stupa located in the Don village of Darauli Block of Siwan District in Bihar is not a monument of National importance.

(b) ASI has neither conducted nor plans to conduct any scientific excavations on the ancient Buddhist stupa;

(c) and (d) Question does not arise. *****