India /Uttar Pradesh /Gonda /Sravasti

Savatthi (Sravasti) was located on the banks of the river Aciravati (now called the Rapti river). It was the capital city of the kingdom of Kosala, and its king was called Pasenadi, who was a disciple of Buddha. It is a beautiful city with vast amounts of agriculture and diversity. Buddhaghosa says that, in the Buddha’s day, there were fifty-seven thousand families in Savatthi, and that it was the chief city in the country of Kasi Kosala, which was three hundred leagues in extent and had eighty thousand villages. He stated the population of Sávatthi to have been 180 million(?). The road from Rajagaha to Savatthi passed through Vesali, and the Parayanavagga gives as the resting places between the two cities: Setavya, Kapilavatthu, Kusinara, Pava and Bhoganagara. Further on, there was a road running southwards from Savatthi through Saketa to Kosambi. Between Saketa and Savatthi was located Toranavatthu. The Buddha passed the greater part of his monastic life in Savatthi. His first visit to Savatthi was at the invitation of Anathapindika, whom he met in Rajagaha. The main monasteries in Savatthi were the Jetavana and the Pubbarama. Savatthi also contained the monastery of Rajakarama, built by Pasenadi, opposite Jetavana. Not far from the city was a dark forest called the Andhavana, where some monks and nuns went to live. Outside the city gate of Savatthi was a fisherman’s village of five hundred families.

Quick Facts-Edit

Category : Pilgrim

Time Zone: UTC + 5:30 Hours

Pincode: 271845

STD Code: 5252

Info Website: shravasti.nic.in

Best Time to Visit:  October to March

HistoryEdit

Sravasti, the capital of kosala Mahajanapada, was the biggest town in the Gangetic plains during the Buddha’s lifetime. It is located in Gonda district in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Sravasti is an important historical and religious tourist place in Uttar pradesh. It has been associated with the Buddha for an extremely long time, and has the unique distinction on being the place where the Buddha spent as many as 25 years of his life, living in the monastery of Jetavana. According to Buddhist treatise, Sudatta, a rich merchant from Sravasti, became his disciple without forsaking his worldly life and built Jetavana Vihara, a seven-storeyed structure. Legend has it that the Buddha performed many miracles here, including levitating, in addition to delivering many an important sermon. Moreover, it is said that Buddha reformed dreaded dacoit Angulimala hear in Sravasti. There are also two pillars hear, erected by Emperor Ashoka. Hiuen Tsang, the famous Chinese traveller, Visited Sravasti as well.

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How to ReachEdit

By Air : Arriving by air is an easy option and the most suitable place is the Lucknow Airport. There are many private carriers and public carriers that operate to and from the airport to cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Agra, and Bangalore. Taxis are available at the airport and they cost around Rs 2000 for the trip.

By Train : There are two options for those who are travelling by rail. Balrampur has a small station and there are a few trains that pass through this place. However the better option is the station at Gonda that is connected to many places such as Delhi, Lucknow, Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Kolkata and Agra. Gonda is situated 50 km from Sravasti and taxis from here cost Rs 600 for the trip to Sravasti.

By BUS : Both state run buses and private buses are available to Bonda, which has the nearest bus terminus. Buses arrive frequently from Allahabad, Agra, Mathura, Lucknow, Bareilly and Kanpur. Private buses are more comfortable and they are more expensive than state owned buses. Ticket prices vary according to the distance covered. Taxis will be available from the bus terminus.

By Taxi : Taxis are available for moving around in the city.

By Other : Cycle rickshaws,, Auto rickshaws, moving around in the city.

Top HotelsAdd

Luxury – Rs. 2501 and above

Lotus Nikko Hotel Sravasti ; Balrampur, Baharaich Highway, Sravasti, Dist : Gonda.271845. ; Ph – 5252-265291-92 ; Facilities – 24 hours room service, H/C running Water, telephone, TV, banquet facililities, shopping arcade, in-house multi-cuisine restaurant.

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FestivalAdd

Buddha Purnima ; Venue:  Shravasti ; Period :  April/May ; Details:  Buddha Purnima the day of the birth of Lord Buddha is celebrated at all Buddhist temples at Shravasti in a big way.

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• Fire : 101
• Ambulance : 102

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