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The ancient city of Shravasti, a
flourishing habitation that is an important landmark in the history of
Buddhism and Jainism alike, is at present but a collection of ruins called
Sahet-Mahet. This twin name has been given to two distinct groups of
remains, Sahet and Mahet. Sahet is the site of the famous Buddhist monastery
known as Jetvahana Vihar, which lay outside the limits of the Shravasti city
proper. Mahet on the other hand is identified with the city of Shravasti.
The ruins at Sahet consist mainly of plinths and foundation of Buddhist
monasteries and stupas, and Mahet, situated about 500m from Sahet denotes
the ancient city proper. Both Sahet and Mahet are now popular tourist
attractions in Shravasti Uttar Pradesh.
Very little is known of the city of Shravasti until it rose to fame during
the Gupta period owing to its association with Buddha and Mahavira in sixth
century B.C.
At the time of Buddha, King Presanajit ruled Shravasti. The site of Sahet is
said to be the recreational park of prince Jeta, son of Presanajit, after
whom the Jetavan Monastery was named. Legend has it that Sudatta (also known
as Ananthapindika), a wealthy merchant of Shravasti, bought this park from
prince Jeta in exchange for enough gold pieces that could cover the park.
The earliest structural activities at Sahet are attributed mainly to
Suddatta, Prince Jeta and his father King Presanajit.
In the third rainy season after his enlightenment, Lord Buddha said to have
visited Jetavana Monastery and since then he regularly made his sojourn to
the monastery spending here 24 rainy seasons in all. Lord Buddha is said to
have converted a notorious robber called Angulimalai into a disciple and
follower of Buddhism here at Shravasti. The Tourist Attractions in Shravasti
in India are steeped with values and legends of Buddhism.
After the age of Buddha and Mahavira, the history of Shravasti is obscure
till we come to the period of Ashoka in the third century B.C. The material
prosperity of Shravasti was at its height during Ashoka's period who is
credited with the erection of two pillars, each 21m high, in addition to the
construction of several monasteries and stupas. The monasteries and shrines
of Jetavana now in ruins are among the prominent tourist attractions in
Shravasti Uttar Pradesh, and were renovated during the early centuries of
the Christian era under the patronage of Kushana kings. During the Gupta
period the Buddhist establishment at Jetavana gained more prominence. These
ruins now form the centre of Tourist Attractions in Shravasti in Uttar
Pradesh India.
In the early fifth century Chinese scholar, author and philosopher FA-HIEN
visited Shravasti. During the reign of king Harsha (AD 606 - 647) Hiuen -
Tsang another Chinese scholar traveled to Shravasti and found it a wild
ruin.
The ruins of Shravasti were brought to light and identified with Shravasti
by Alexander Cunninghum in 1863.
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. 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.
Shravasti Airport has had
no scheduled services operating since 2013. The nearest airport from
Shravasti is Chaudhary Charan
Singh International Airport at Lucknow, about 170 kilometers from
Shravasti. The Airport is well connected to other cities in India such as
New Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Chennai and Bangalore. From the Airport you can
hire cabs or take a train to reach Shravasti.
Shravasti Quick Facts
State: Uttar Pradesh
Languages: Hindi and Urdu
Average Climate: 8°C - 30°C
Best time to visit: October - March
STD Code: 05250
Famous For: Historical and Heritages Sites |
