At Tilaurakot and other archaeological sites of Lumbini and Kapilvastu, the archaeologists have never tried studying the landscape. Likewise gardens situated in Janakpur and Raja garden of Siraha have been neglected by archaeologists

Archaeologists, both native and foreign, have not taken pains to explore and excavate the landscape archaeology of the Terai-Madesh. Nothing has been done in this virgin field. There are many parks and orchards in the Terai-Madesh. Some of them are gardens of Janakpur such as Manimandap, Lumbini’s Mayabati garden  and Simraungarh and Raja Fulbari of Salhesh and Tilaurakot.

We have little knowledge about the rich tradition of the green garden in Terai-Madesh archaeology. In this context I would like to quote here. “Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, was a vana or a small forest or a batika or a garden.  Archaeological excavations conducted at Lumbini and its periphery since 1897 have not discovered any traces of this ancient forest or garden. Buddhist literature has described Lumbini garden as an earthy paradise. The archaeologists have been taking interest only in finding structural remains and artifacts; only the material culture. They have neither thought about or tried to find the remains of the ancient Lumbini garden. Nepali archaeologists lack knowledge about the landscape archaeology.

Similarly at Tilaurakot and other  archaeological sites of Lumbini and Kapilvastu, the archaeologists have never tried studying the landscape. Likewise gardens situated in Janakpur and Raja garden of Siraha have been neglected by both native and foreign archaeologists. There is mention of two mythological trees in Janakpur’s garden in the Buddha jatakas about which  the king of Thailand Adulyadej has mentioned in his book The Story of Maha Janak. He sent his scholar daughter to find out the two trees but she could not find them. There is a  need to explore and excavate the garden archaeology of the Tarai Madesh. We have heard a lot about Tirhutiya Gachhi located in the heart of proper Janakpur,  but no  archaeologist  has tried to explore and excavate about it. There is another important garden named Manimandap which is still surrounded by a green garden but it is shrouded in oblivion. The great poet of the epic Ramayana Tulasidas has mentioned the garden of Janakpur. By seeing its beauty sage Vishwamitra along with Rama and Lakshman were fascinated immensely and Sita used to pluck flowers to worship her favourite goddess Girija.

There are many historical, cultural and archaeological spots related to king Salhesh which are situated in Siraha. Among them there is a famous garden of Salhesh. This is also called Raja Phoolbari which is located some four km west of the main market of Lahan. A famous fair is held annually on the auspicious occasion of New year Bikram Sambat (B.S). This fair is held for one day only. This famous historical garden has been encroached upon by the local people but neither the local administration nor the Lahan municipality give proper attention to it. There are many botanical and medicinal plants and trees in the garden. A flower in the form of garland  blossoms for only one day on the branches of one tree named Haram in the middle of the garden. The other day it fades away. No archaeologist,  historian or cultural expert have found out its secrets.

One Nepali scholar Suniva Shrestha has written: “Some four kilometers west of Lahan, Siraha lies Mother Nature’s marvel a garden that bears the legend of king Salhesh, chronicled to have ruled this region during  the latter mid 13th century. In this ancient densely forested garden spread over an area of some six hectares, there grows a unique Haram tree that bears flowers only once a year that too on the  Nepalese New Year Day of Baisakh. The buds start appearing on the last day of  the previous year and as the hours pass by, the buds blossom into flowers and by  New Year dawn take the full shape of a garland. As the day advances the flowers wither and fall. They will not bloom until next year’s Day.”

There is also a temple of Salhesh which means the king of mountain. There is an idol of Salhesh sitting on an elephant. On its left and right side there are two attractive idols of Auna and Kusuma. The tree named Harem is the main attraction of that garden. This    is the incomparable beauty of that garden.  Nobody has seen that flower except on  one particular day. The local people consider it as a supernatural power.  There is also another mythology according to which Salhesh’s beloved named Kusama  Malini (gardener’s wife ) appeared  to embrace her lover for only one particular day  which is the full moon day of Baisakh. This can be developed as a beautiful spot for tourist attraction not only for Nepal and India but for the whole world.

There are many cultural and historical places related to Salhesh. This famous cultural spot lies in  Siraha district. It is said that Salhesh was born here in about fifth and sixth centuries. His father’s name was Bhairav Bhupal Soman and his mother’s name was Mandodari. He had two brothers namely Motiram and Budhesar. Salhesh was a very handsome and famous warrior who later on became king of that state. He was fond of moving around gardens, mountains, forests, rivers, lakes and ponds. Once he met the daughter of the Hindu king named Maheshwar Bhandari of Taregna province. He fell in love with Dauna. He was in love with her like Laila-Majnu and Shiri-Pharhad. There is still a mound which is called Salheshgarh. This mound is in the state of remains. There is a Gahwar (small temple) of Salhesh).