Seated by the drifting Rapti river, Shravasti is an ancient city which is mostly thronged by the followers of Buddhism, as it is closely linked with the life of Lord Buddha. The utterly tranquil Shravasti, was the capital of the kingdom of Kosala and was marked as a prosperous trading centre and for its religious associations. Now, this spiritual city is frolicked by tourists from Lucknow and other nearby cities, in an effort to experience the serenity of the Jetavana Monastery while catching a break from the usual city chaos.
Shravasti houses slivers of history which date back to the times of Ramayana
The Jetavana Monastery was constructed in a garden outside the walls of the city and as legends go, it was presented to Buddha by a wealthy merchant known as Anathapindika. Jetavana houses the ruins of the hut in which Buddha lived through more than 20 monsoon seasons, as per local stories, and it also has a stupa erected over the mortal remains of two of Buddha’s disciples- Anathapindika and Angulimala.
On the other hand, this city houses slivers of history which date back to the times of Ramayana and it has ample of temples, shrines, stupas, monasteries, viharas and other religious attractions, which pull in pilgrims and tourists alike. ASI has also conducted excavations and recognized the remnants of the stupas, temples, and monasteries here, which represent three main historical periods.
Ancient stupas, colossal viharas & monasteries constructed here by various countries
Shravasti is approximately 155-km away from Lucknow and when here, meditation and chanting are the core purposes which people abide by. With its footsteps in the global space, you will find ancient stupas, colossal viharas and monasteries constructed here by various countries such as South Korea, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand and so on. If you’re planning on surfing around the city, make sure to also visit the Vibhuti Nath Temple, Vipassana Meditation Centre, Suhail Dev Wildlife Sanctuary, Pakki and Kacchi Kuti, amidst other sites.
