Sravasti Tourist Place

Sravasti

Sravasti anciently was known as Savatthi. The city was was one of the six largest cities in India during Gautama Buddha’s lifetime. The city was located in the fertile Gangetic plains in the present day’s Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh. Jetavana monastery was a famous monastery close to Savatthi.

Sravasti has been identified with the remains at Saheth - Maheth on the borders of the Gonda and Bahraich districts. It is situated on the banks of the River Rapti. Srarvasti also claims the glory of being was born, brought up and attained enlightment. Jain devotee visit Sravasti, during the month of kartik(Oct - Nov).

Religious Spots

Maheth

Maheth covers an area of about 400 acres, and has been identified with the remains of the city proper. Excavations have exposed the massive gates of the city, ramparts and also the ruins of other structures which testify to the prosperity of ancient Sravasti.

The Sobhanath Temple is located here. Pakki Kuti and Kacchi Kuti were probably Buddhist shrines before they were converted into Brahmanical temples.

Sobhanath Temple

Sobhanath Temple is believed to be the birthplace of Jain Tirthankar Sambhavnath.

Saheth

Saheth, covers an area of 32 acres, and lies about a quarter of a mile to the south - west of Maheth. This was the site of the Jetavana monastery. It became an important place of pilgrimage, adorned with numerous shrines, stupas and monasteries. The stupas belong mostly to the Kushana period, while the temples are in the Gupta style. The remains date from the Mauryan era (3rd century BC ) to the 12th century AD.

A colossal statue of the Buddha was also found here which is now preserved in the Indian Museum, Calcutta. The Emperor Ashoka visited Jetavana, and the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen- Tsang mentions two Ashokan pillars at Sravasti.

Other Places

Other places of interest include the Swarnagandha Kuti.
 

How to Reach

By Air : Nearest Airport is Lucknow - 176 km, from where Sravasti can be reached by rail upto Balrampur via Gonda.

By Rail : Nearest railway station is at Balrampur : 17 Km. The rest of the route can be covered by road.

By Road : Bus services are available from all major neighboring centres. Sravasti is - 119 km from Basti and - 17 km. from Balrampur.