[History of Shravasti] [Maha Magole Temple] [Maha Veera Temple] [Maheth] [Saheth] [Other Places] [How to Reach]
Shravasti
is situated in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh around 176 km off
Lucknow.It is one of the main site for Buddhist pilgrimage as well and
Jain Pilgrimage.
History of Shravasti teerth begins with the formation of Janpad's by
Yugadidev Shri Adishwar Prabhu.
This place was the capitol city of North Kaushal Janpad. Many Jain Kings such as
King Jitari, the father of third Teerthankar Shri Sambhavnath Bhagwan and others
past here after Bhagwan Adinath. King Prasanjeet ruled this place at the time of
Bhagwan Mahaveer. He was a loyal follower of Prabhu Veer. The main listener of
Prabhu Veer King of Magadh Samrat Shrenik has wedded the sister of King
Parasanjeet. This was also called by the names of
Kunal Nagari
and
Chandrikapuri in the old days. Many Jain temples and Stoops (pillars) were
present in this city. It is specified in history that greater king Samrat Ashok
and his grand son King Samprati also constructed many temples and Stoops at this
holy place. This teerth place is also descripting in "Brihatkalp".
Chinese traveler Fahiyan has also described this holy place in his memories of
traveling India during 5th century BC. One more Chinese traveler during 7th
century BC, Hun-Yen-Sang, has described this place as
Jet van Monastery.
Later this was called as
Manikapuri.
This was ruled by King Mayurdhwaj during 900 AD, by King Hansdhwaj during 925
AD, by King Makardhwaj during 950 AD, by King Sudhavadhwaj during 975 AD and by
King Suhridhwaj during 100 AD. All of them were Jain Kings belonging to Bhar
Vansh. Dr. Bennet and Dr. Vincent Smith have also specified them as Jain Kings.
Work done by King Suhridhwaj for strengthening religion and defending the
temples in his empires from Muslim attack will always taken as a great reminder
of history. He also defeated Mohamed Gazanavi. Acharya Jinprabh Surishwarji has
specified this teerth as Mahith in his granth "Vividh Teerth Kalp" in 14th
century of VS. During those days many Jin-home having big boundary walls, idols
and Dev kulika's were present in this city. Doors of the temple use to shut down
automatically at the time of Sunset and opens in the morning. This was said to
affect of Shri Manibhadra Yaksha. A Lion use to visit the temple on the occasion
of annual gathering and would go only after the completion of Aarti. Allaudin
Khilji and his soldiers damaged this temple. Pandit Vijaysagarji and Shri
Soubhagya Vijayji have described this teerth in 18th century. Number of ancient
idols and inscription were recovered after digging Sahet Mahet area near
Shravasti village. These are kept in museums at Lucknow and Mathura.
Archeological Department has acquired an ancient temple present near the Mahet
Fort. This place is described as the birthplace of Bhagwan Sri Sambhavnath. The
damaged
remaining at Sahet Mahet reminds the ancient ness of this place. At present this
is the only temple present at this teerth place.
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Shravasti is an important historical and religious attraction in Uttar Pradesh. The place has for long been attached to Lord Buddha and his times. It is said that Lord Buddha spent 25 years living in the monastery of Jetavana that is situated in Shravasti. It is at Shravasti only where Lord Buddha is supposed to have astonished rival teachers by performing miracles. It is in Shravasti that Buddha transformed Angulimal from a dacoit into a Buddhist monk. He also delivered many important sermons here. The two 21 meters high pillars erected by Emperor Ashoka mark these sites. They are on either side of the eastern gateway of the Jetavana monastery. Shravasti was a flourishing center of learning during the Gupta period too. When the famed Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang visited this site, he found several damaged Stupas and ruins of monasteries at this place.
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. It is said that Lord Buddha spent 25 years living in the monastery of Jetavana that is situated in Shravasti. The city also has the pride of being the place where many of Vinaya rules, Jatakas and Sutras were first discussed. The place rose to prominence when excavation works revealed that Saheth was the original site of once magnanimous Jetavana monastery. The place saw sudden spurt in tourism after that discovery. |
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Maheth is important cluster of shrines in Shravasti. Though not as famous as Saheth, Maheth also has a cluster of shrines that are very popular among the tourists visiting Shravasti. In fact, Maheth was the actual site of the erstwhile Shravasti city. Spread across the area of near about 400 acres, Maheth was the site of numerous shrines and Stupas. Maheth has been identified with the remains of the city proper. Nevertheless, the site for long had remained abandoned and ignored. It was only in the early decades of 20th century when the excavation works were initiated that the site raised to prominence. Location: Quarter a mile from Saheth Ideal Time to Visit: Anytime round the year, From Sunrise to Sunset Attraction: Memorabilia |
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Saheth is one of the most visited clusters of shrines in the Buddhist
tourism circuit of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Saheth covers an area of around 35
square Kilometers and is located in the very heart of Shravasti. The site
falls on your right when you move nearly a kilometer Southwest from Maheth.
The place forms an important angle in the Buddhist Triangle of
Sarnath-Sravasti-Kushinagar in the eastern Uttar Pradesh. The place is full
of numerous monasteries and shrines related to Buddhism apart from quite a
few Stupas. Although most of these are in ruins, the place has a charm of
its own. Emperor Ashoka started the construction works that was continued by
his successors. Kushana and Gupta rulers later carried it forward. It can be
broadly classified that while most of the Stupas belong to the Kushana
period, the temples are predominantly in the Gupta style. Location: Right in the heart of the city, Quarter a mile from Maheth Ideal Time to Visit: Anytime round the year, From Sunrise to Sunset Attraction: Ruins |
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Shakti Peeth Close View of Jetvan Jetvan
Pakki Kuti at Maheth Shanti Bell Gandha kuti at Maheth |
How to Reach Shravasti
Shravasti being an important pilgrimage and tourism destination is well connected to the rest of Uttar Pradesh and India.
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Location: |
In Eastern region of Uttar Pradesh, India |
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Best time to visit: |
October to March |
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Nearest Airport: |
Lucknow Airport |
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Nearest Railhead: |
Balrampur Junction |
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Must Visits: |
Temple of Lord Buddha Maha Mangol, Maheth and Saheth |
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Language spoken: |
Hindi, Urdu and English |
By Air
The nearest airport from Shravasti is Lucknow. Lucknow Airport is near about
170 kilometers from Shravasti. The airport is well connected to other cities
in India such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Chennai and Bangalore through a
range of flights operated by both private as well as public carriers.
By Rail/Train
The nearest railhead is Balrampur that is 17 Kilometers from Shravasti.
Nevertheless, Gonda railway station that is also nearby is a better option
when it comes to connectivity. Gonda station is well connected to other
cities in Uttar Pradesh and India such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Agra,
Lucknow, Bangalore and Ahmedabad etc.
By Road
Shravasti is well connected to the rest of Uttar Pradesh by roadways. The
nearest mega terminus is at Gonda that is 50 kilometers from the downtown
Shravasti. Gonda in turn is well connected by bus to cities like Lucknow,
Bareilly, Kanpur, Allahabad, Agra and Mathura. Both Uttar Pradesh State Road
Transport Corporation as well as Private players operates these buses
