Shravasti

History

Buddhist texts place at Jetavana episodes such as Anathapindika’s purchase of the grove (said to have been covered with gold coins) and teachings delivered across numerous vassavasas. Alexander Cunningham in the 1860s identified the twin mounds Saheth and Maheth as Jetavana and the capital city of Shravasti respectively, exposing monastic and temple remains including associations with Mulagandha Kuti.

ASI and later excavations continued through the twentieth century, revealing stupas, monasteries, fortification lines at Maheth, and inscriptions that show the site remained active into the medieval period. Modern pilgrims combine the archaeological park with international monasteries built nearby by Buddhist communities from Asia.

Stories

Gold Coins for the Jeta Grove

Buddhist texts tell that the merchant Anathapindika wanted a monastery for the Buddha and chose the park of Prince Jeta. The prince jokingly said he would sell it if it were covered in gold coins, and Anathapindika brought wagonloads of coins to do exactly that.

The story says Jeta was so moved that he gave the last small spot, near the gateway, as a gift. The monastery that rose here, Jetavana, was the second vihara donated to the Buddha.

Nineteen Rainy Seasons

Buddhist tradition holds that the Buddha spent nineteen of his forty-five rainy-season retreats at Jetavana, more than at any other monastery, and delivered many of his discourses here. Shravasti is also where he is said to have performed the twin miracle.

The site is among the most revered in Buddhism, and today pilgrims from many countries visit the ruins and monasteries built by Buddhist communities nearby.

Two Mounds, One Ancient City

Shravasti, also called Saheth-Maheth, consists of two sites less than 2 km apart. Saheth is the smaller and holds the Jetavana remains, while Maheth is a walled complex inside a badly damaged mud fort. Ruins of Hindu and Jain temples have also been found.

Inscribed slabs and statues show the area active from about the Buddha's time to at least the 12th century. It was abandoned and buried under mounds in or after the 13th century, and was rediscovered by British and Indian archaeologists in the late 19th century. Japanese-led excavations in 1986 to 1996 added further detail.

Good to know

Jetavana (Saheth) — principal monastic site of the Buddha’s long sojourns

Maheth — fortified remains identified with ancient Shravasti city

ASI-protected Saheth–Maheth archaeological landscape near Balrampur

Getting there

About 20 km from Balrampur on the Balrampur–Bahraich road (ASI / district geography). Nearest major rail: Balrampur / Gonda belt. Air: Lucknow or Gorakhpur, then road.