Sravasti
The Buddha's Longest Residence
Overview
Sravasti, also spelled Shravasti, is an ancient city and Buddhist pilgrimage site in Uttar Pradesh, India, once the capital of the Kosala kingdom. It is revered as the place where Gautama Buddha spent more rainy-season retreats than anywhere else, traditionally counted as around twenty-four or twenty-five, chiefly at the Jetavana monastery donated by the merchant Anathapindika. Today its twin archaeological sites, Saheth (Jetavana) and Maheth (the old city), preserve stupas, monastery foundations, and the sacred Anandabodhi tree, ringed by modern international monasteries. Sravasti is also significant in Jainism. It lies near Balrampur, about 170 km from Lucknow. MyTripMyTravel guides it as a calm, scholarly pilgrimage.
Sravasti holds a special place in Buddhism as the city where the Buddha stayed longest. Once the prosperous capital of the Kosala kingdom, it is where the wealthy merchant Anathapindika famously bought the Jetavana grove, legend says by covering its ground with gold coins, and gave it to the Buddha, who then spent more rainy-season retreats here, over many years, than in any other single place. Much of the Buddhist canon is set in and around this city.
The remains today divide into two mounds a short distance apart. Saheth is the Jetavana monastery itself: a peaceful park of excavated stupas and monastic foundations, centred on the revered Anandabodhi tree, said to be grown from a sapling of the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya. Maheth, larger and wilder, is the buried old city, with ruins associated with figures such as Angulimala and Anathapindika. Around the ancient sites, monasteries built by Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, South Korea, and other nations keep the pilgrimage alive. Sravasti is also honoured in Jain tradition as linked to a Tirthankara.
As with the other eastern-UP Buddhist sites, honesty matters: Sravasti is a place of quiet ruins and gardens, rewarding to those who come to reflect and to understand, not to those chasing monuments. MyTripMyTravel provides a guide who can bring the canonical stories and archaeology to life, arranges calm early access to Saheth and Maheth, and chauffeurs the site as part of a considered Buddhist circuit.
At a glance
Sravasti in brief
When to visit
October to March
October to March brings cool, comfortable weather ideal for walking the open grounds of Saheth and Maheth and the international monastery circuit. This is also the peak international pilgrimage season. Buddha Purnima, usually in May, is spiritually significant but falls in fierce pre-monsoon heat. April to June is very hot on the plains, and the monsoon from July to September greens the ruins but brings humidity and overgrowth. Early mornings are best year-round for the calmest, most contemplative atmosphere among the stupas and the Anandabodhi tree.
Things to do
Experiences in Sravasti
Jetavana (Saheth)
The tranquil monastery park where the Buddha resided, dotted with excavated stupas and the foundations of ancient monastic halls.
Anandabodhi tree
The revered peepal at Jetavana, traditionally grown from a sapling of the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, a focus of devotion.
Maheth city ruins
The buried old city of Sravasti, with mounds and stupas associated with Angulimala and Anathapindika.
International monastery circuit
A quiet tour of the Thai, Burmese, Sri Lankan, Korean, and other temples built around the sacred sites, each in its own style.
Sobhnath Jain temple
A site honoured in Jain tradition within the Maheth precinct, reflecting Sravasti's significance beyond Buddhism.
Getting there
How to reach Sravasti
Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport (LKO), about 170 km away, is the practical airport; Gorakhpur is an alternative gateway with a fleet transfer.
Balrampur, about 17 km away, is the nearest convenient railhead, with Gonda a larger junction on the wider network.
Sravasti lies roughly 170 km from Lucknow, a chauffeured drive of around four hours, and pairs naturally with a wider eastern-UP circuit.
Our air-conditioned fleet manages the Lucknow to Sravasti leg and onward links to Ayodhya, Kushinagar, and the Buddhist circuit with professional chauffeurs.
Where to stay
Simple, serene stays run by or beside the international monasteries, the traditional choice for pilgrims wanting to be close to the sacred sites.
Modest but clean hotels near Sravasti and Balrampur, comfortable for a single overnight on the Buddhist circuit.
For a premium base, luxury hotels in Lucknow, 170 km away, combining Awadhi city comforts with a chauffeured day or overnight to Sravasti.
Where to eat
Simple, wholesome pure-vegetarian meals in keeping with the site's contemplative, pilgrim character.
Thai, Sri Lankan, and East Asian dishes at the international monastery kitchens serving visiting pilgrims.
Regional kachori-sabzi, dum-cooked vegetarian dishes, and seasonal sweets reflecting the wider Awadh table.
Good to know
Sravasti, your questions
Why is Sravasti important to Buddhists?
Sravasti is revered as the place where the Buddha spent more rainy-season retreats than anywhere else, traditionally counted as around twenty-four or twenty-five, chiefly at the Jetavana monastery. Much of the Buddhist canon is set here.
What is Jetavana?
Jetavana is the grove and monastery, at the site now called Saheth, that the merchant Anathapindika bought and donated to the Buddha. It became the Buddha's principal residence and is today a peaceful park of stupas, monastic ruins, and the sacred Anandabodhi tree.
What are Saheth and Maheth?
They are the twin archaeological mounds of Sravasti. Saheth is the Jetavana monastery site, and Maheth is the buried ancient city with ruins linked to figures such as Angulimala and Anathapindika. They lie a short distance apart.
How do I reach Sravasti?
The nearest railhead is Balrampur, about 17 km away, and the practical airport is Lucknow, roughly 170 km distant. We chauffeur the site as part of a wider eastern-UP or Buddhist circuit.
How much time do I need at Sravasti?
Half a day covers Saheth, Maheth, and a selection of the international monasteries at an unhurried pace; an overnight lets us secure calm early access and pair it comfortably with Ayodhya or the Buddhist trail.
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