Lumbini has long been a central destination on the Buddhist pilgrimage route as the birthplace of the Buddha. Not far away lie the fortified remains of Tilaurakot, widely believed to be the ancient capital where Siddhartha Gautama spent his early life as a prince. Despite its deep historical importance, the site attracts far fewer visitors than Lumbini.

Now, archaeologists say a recently discovered temple at Tilaurakot may shift that balance. The find provides new evidence that the site once held much greater religious importance for Buddhist communities than its relatively quiet state today would suggest, potentially reshaping how scholars and pilgrims view its role in early Buddhist history.