Sravasti Travel Guide
Sravasti is
one of the eight most important pilgrimages of Buddhists. While Lord
Buddha walked from Kapilavastu in Nepal to Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh,
renounced the world and attained mahaparinirvana, he left behind a trail
of footsteps which are revered till today. Situated 134 kms from Lucknow
and 29 kms from Balrampur, Sravasti, the capital of the ancient kingdom
of Kosala, has the honor for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in
the Jetvana Gardens
Sravasti is one such place. According to legend, it is here where
Buddha confounded his critics by making them witness a miraculous
million-fold self manifestation seated on a thousand-petalled lotus, as
fire and water emanated from his body. The prophet of peace is also said
to have spent 25 rainy seasons here, teaching people the essence of his
gentle creed.
The religious character of Sravasti derives also from the fact that
Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, visited the town frequently.
Apart from this, the city also finds mention in the epics Ramayana and
Mahabharata as a prosperous city of the Kosala Kingdom. The mythological
king Sravasta, is said to have founded it.
Getting There :
By Air
The nearest airport is Lucknow,176 Km away. One can get taxis and state
transport buses to reach Sravasti
By Rail
Sravasti is 18 km from the nearest railhead, Balrampur. From Lucknow
there are train services to Balrampur.chhatapur.
By Road
Bus services are available from all major neighbouring centres.
Tourist Attractions :
Sahet and Mahet.
Sravasti has two villages, Sahet and Mahet. From the Balrampur-Sravasti
road one can enter Sahet, which is spread over an area of 400 acres and
has a number of ruins. A little north of Sahet, towards the Rapti River,
is the ancient fortified city of Mahet. The entrance to the mud
fortification of Mahet is constructed in a beautiful crescent shape.
Though an ancient structure, its five gates and walls are still visible.
Pakki Kuti, Kuchhi Kuti and many other stupas tell the story of the
great monasteries that once stood here.
Remnants of Jetavana, a splendid monastery with inscriptions dating
back to the 12th century, is thought to be one of the favourite sites of
the Buddha. Emperor Ashoka is also said to have visited this site. There
is a sacred pipal tree here, which is a sapling from the original Maha
Bodhi tree under which the Buddha had attained nirvana. Today, Jetavana
has two monasteries, six temples and five stupas. One temple was built
by the monk Ananthapindika and called Gandhakuti. This is the most
sacred temple in Jetavana since the Buddha is believed to have lived at
this spot. Sravasti was also under the influence of Lord Mahavira the
last Jain Tirthankar, and the splendid Shwetambara temple here attracts
thousands of Jain pilgrims. The Sobhnath Temple is believed to the
birthplace of the Jain Tirthankar Sambhavnath.
Tourist Informaton Centre Tourist Bureau,
Raj Guest House, Balrampur,
Distt. Gonda. Regional Tourist Bureau,
Ayodhya,
Distt. Faizabad
