Lauriya

Lauriya is a famous village in Areraj subdivision of East Champaran District of Bihar in India, where a lofty stone column was erected by Asoka the Great in 249 BC. It is situated left of Areraj-Bettiah road. The pillar is known as “Stambh dharma lekh”. The Archaeological Survey of India has classified it a protected monument.

A single block of polished stone bears six of Asoka's edicts. It measures 36 ½ feet in height above the ground with a base diameter of 41.8 inches and a diameter at the top of 37.6 inches. The weight of this portion only is estimated about 34 tons. Since there must be several feet of the shaft sunk in the earth, the actual weight of the whole block must be about 40 tons. This pillar has no Capital. It has been reported that pillar was crowned with a statue of an animal but it was transferred to Kolkota museum.

The edicts of king Ashoka are most clearly and heartily engraved, and are divided into two distinct portions, that to the north containing 18 lines and that to the south 23 lines. But now these are not in good state. It has suffered from the effect of weather.

The villagers call the pillar as ‘Laur’ that is the phallus and the adjoining village is named after it Lauriya.

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