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BUDDHIST DESTINATION |
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BUDDHIST SITES |
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| SRAVASTI |
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| The ruins of ancient Sravasti include Saheth-Maheth and the nearby Orajhar, Panahiajhar, and Kharahuwanjhar. In the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Sravasti is a prosperous city in the kingdom of Kosala. Panini in his Ashtadhyayi mentions Kosala, as does Pali Buddhist literature. In the Puranas, Sravasti is the capital of North Kosala. The city is said to be named for the legendary king Sravasta of solar race who founded the city. In the 6th century BCE, during the reign of Prasenajit, the city rose to fame due to its association with the Buddha and Mahavira. The Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons here after his disciple Sudatta Anathapindika built a monastery for him at Jetavana. When challenged by a rival sect, he is also said to have performed the Great Miracle of Sravasti. Conversion of a robber, Angulimala, to the Buddha's path is another local episode of this period. |
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| Sravasti Attractions |
The Ananda Bodhi tree : This tree, under which Lord Buddha Meditated for a night, is said to bless the devotees who meditate under it as it was specialized by Lord Buddha himself.
Jetavana : The Jetavana is said to once host Lord Buddha and his pilgrims, where One of his followers, a rich merchant, covered the whole ground of the park (vana) with gold coins. Lord Buddha used tehse coins to build a Vihara here. While there are stories that Jet Vana once housed a giant seven-storied-building, some others believe that the first statue of Lord Buddha was built here. Whatever the story, in reality, the place is a cool and peaceful alternative to forget any other care of life and this, makes one believe the facts that are running as folklore among the local community. There are, however, some sculptures built by The Ashoka which are nonetheless less attractive than other monuments built by him.
The ancient temple built by an old Chinese monk is also part of tourist attraction, due to the story attached to it.
Shobhanath temple : the Jain pilgrims revere this temple, believed to be the birthplace of a Jain saint, Sambhavnath. |
| How to Reach |
Air - Lucknow, the nearest airport, will serve the air tourists.
Rail - Balrampur is the nearest railhead, well connected to Lucknow and thereby to other major cities of India.
Road - A good network joins this city to major cities of Uttar Pradesh.
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