What is "kapilavastu"

Kapilavastu ( Nepali; Pali: Kapilavatthu), formerly Taulihawa, is a municipality and administrative center of Kapilvastu District in Province No. 5 of southern Nepal. It is located roughly to the south-west of Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Gautama Buddha.

The municipality lies at an altitude of above sea level on Nepal's southern border across from Khunwa, Uttar Pradesh state, India. There is a customs checkpoint for goods while movement of Indian and Nepalese nationals across the border is unrestricted.

In ancient times Kapilavastu was the capital city of the Shakya kingdom. King Śuddhodana and Queen Māyā are believed to have lived at Kapilavastu, as did their son Prince Siddartha Gautama until he left the palace at the age of 29.

Kapilavastu had a population of 27,170 at the time of the 2001 Nepal census.