Located about 5km southwest of Taulihawa, Gotihawa is identified as the holy place where Krakuchhanda Buddha was born and attained enlightenment. Emperor Asoka visited the site in 249 BC, erected the stonepillar and built a big stupa, dedicating to the Krakuchhanda Buddha.
The Asoka Pillar was erected by Emperor Asoka in 249 BC to commemorate his visit to the birth spot of Krakuchhanda Buddha. Standing in-situ on the original masonry basement foundation, the existing pillar is 3. 25m high and has a diameter of 83/79 cm. The inscription bearing upper portion of the pillar is broken off long ago and is still missing. Prominent Chinese travelers Fa-hsien (399 -413 AD) and Hiuen Tsang (636 AD), mention about the erection of pillar, bearing a lion capital atop, at Gotihawa by Emperor Asoka to mark the birthplace of Krakuchhanda Buddha.
It was built by the Emperor Asoka to pay reverence to Krakuchhanda Buddha in 3rd century BC. It is estimated that the enlargement of the stupa was carried out in Saka and Kushana time (end of 1st century BC to the 2-3 century AD). As per the excavation report of researcher Dr. L. A. Waddell, the stupa has a 22m diameter with a Pradakshinapatha (circumambulatory path) around it. At the center of the present village there is an ancient well, and in the south there lies an ancient water tank.
There are several ancient potteries, brick structures of stupas and monasteriesoutside modern Gotihawa village. The site is believed to have started developing in 6th century BC. At the center of the present village there is an ancient well, which is still used by the villagers and in the south there lies an ancient water tank (pond). A small stone statue with image of Kakruchhanda Buddha has been established in the nearby area.