Lumbini, July 14 -- Nepal's bid to enlist Tilaurakot, the ancient capital of the Shakya kingdom and the palace where Siddhartha Gautam spent his princely life before he became the Buddha, on the UNESCO World Heritage list has ended in disappointment. The proposal was not approved during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee underway in Paris, France.

Despite years of meticulous archaeological research and excavation, documentation and diplomatic lobbying, the proposal to list Tilaurakot (identified as the ancient Kapilvastu) was deferred by the committee based on a recommendation from the ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), UNESCO's primary advisory body for cultural heritage nominations.

Discussions began ...