The Geographical Dictionary of Ancient and Mediaeval India c5.s2.106

c5.s2.106

**Bethadipa**—It has not been correctly identified, but it seems to be the modern Bethia to the east of Gorakhpur and south of Nepal. The Brahmins of Beṭhadîpa obtained an eighth part of the relics of Buddha’s body after his death (Mahâparinibbâna Sutta, ch. vi) See Kusinagara. It seems that the extensive ruins consisting of three rows of earthen barrows or huge conical mounds of earth, about a mile to the north-east of Lauriya Navandgaḍ (Lauriya Nandangaḍ) and 15 miles to the north-west of Bethia in the district of Champaran, are the remains of the stûpa which had been built over the relics of Buddha by the Brahmins of Beṭhadîpa. At a short distance from these ruins stands the lion pillar of Aśoka containing his edicts. Dîpa in Beṭhadîpa is evidently a corruption of Dhâpa, which again is a corruption of Dâgaba or Dhâtugarbha or Stûpa containing Buddha’s relics [cf. Mahasthana, the ancient name of which (Sîtâ-dhâpa or Sîtâ-dhâtugarbha) was changed into Sîtâ-dîpa]. The change of Dipa into Dia is an easy step. Hence it is very probable that from Betha-dia comes Beṭhiâ.