Into the green
Take the scenic route · Uttar Pradesh

Shravasti

Buddhist-Jain pilgrimage district of Sahet-Mahet, Jetavana, Kacchi Kuti, Pakki Kuti, Shobhnath Jain temple, Vipassana centre, Vibhuti Nath and Suhaildev forest.

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Shravasti: ancient Kosala capital and Buddha pilgrimage

Shravasti official history links the place with North Kosala, King Prasenjit, Bhagwan Mahaveer, Jain Teerthankar Sambhavnath, Chandrikapuri traditions, Chinese pilgrims, Ashoka and Sahet-Mahet excavations. Buddhist tradition remembers Shravasti as a place where Gautama Buddha spent many monsoon retreats and taught at Jetavana. The modern district was carved out from Gonda and Bahraich, with Bhinga as headquarters.

Ancient Kosala

Capital of North Kosala

Shravasti is remembered as an ancient capital of North Kosala near the Rapti river, connected with King Prasenjit and early Buddhist, Jain and Hindu traditions.

Buddha Era

Jetavana and Buddha teaching

Buddhist tradition remembers Shravasti as a major place where Gautama Buddha spent many monsoon retreats and taught at Jetavana monastery.

Jain Heritage

Sambhavnath and Chandrikapuri

District history links Shravasti with Jain Teerthankar Sambhavnath, Bhagwan Mahaveer, Chandrikapuri names, old Jain temples and Sahet-Mahet excavated remains.

Modern District

Bhinga headquarters and pilgrimage district

Modern Shravasti was carved out from Gonda and Bahraich, with Bhinga as district headquarters, and is now one of Uttar Pradesh major Buddhist and Jain pilgrimage districts.

LEAVE ROOM FOR A DETOUR

The places you’ll remember.

Archaeological Site

Sahet-Mahet Archaeological Site

Ancient Shravasti archaeological zone with walled Mahet area and Sahet monastery remains, central to Buddhist, Jain and early historic heritage.

Sahet MahetArchaeologyHeritage
Buddhist Site

Jetavana Monastery and Gandhakuti

Core Buddhist pilgrimage site where Buddha is traditionally remembered for teaching and spending many monsoon retreats; includes Gandhakuti and monastery remains.

JetavanaBuddhaGandhakuti
Buddhist Site

Anand Bodhi Tree and Meditation Area

Sacred tree and meditation area within the Jetavana circuit, important for quiet prayer, chanting and pilgrim reflection.

Anand BodhiMeditationJetavana
Excavated Monument

Kacchi Kuti

Significant excavated structure inside Mahet, officially listed as one of the important historic tourist places of Shravasti.

Kacchi KutiMahetExcavation
Ancient Mound

Pakki Kuti

One of the largest mounds in Mahet area, identified with remains of a stupa and officially listed in Shravasti tourist places.

Pakki KutiStupaMahet
Buddhist Heritage

Angulimala Stupa Route

Important Buddhist memory route associated with Angulimala tradition and the ancient Shravasti landscape.

AngulimalaBuddhistStupa
Buddhist Heritage

Anathapindika Stupa and Donor Memory

Buddhist heritage stop connected with Anathapindika or Sudatta, the great donor associated with Jetavana monastery.

AnathapindikaJetavanaDonor
Jain Temple

Shobhnath Jain Temple

Ancient Jain pilgrimage site associated with Tirthankar Sambhavnath and Shravasti Jain history, close to Sahet-Mahet heritage zone.

JainSambhavnathTemple
Monastery Route

International Buddhist Monastery Belt

Modern monastery route with Thai, Sri Lankan, Korean, Myanmar, Tibetan and other Buddhist centres supporting international pilgrimage.

MonasteryInternationalBuddhist
Meditation Centre

Vipassana Meditation Centre Sravasti

Meditation centre on State Highway 26 near Buddha Inter College, officially listed among Shravasti tourist places.

VipassanaMeditationSravasti
Temple

Vibhuti Nath Temple

Officially listed temple in Shravasti district, important for local pilgrimage and Himalayan foothill religious routes.

Vibhuti NathTemplePilgrimage
Wildlife Sanctuary

Suhaildev Wildlife Sanctuary

Wildlife sanctuary spread across Balrampur and Shravasti near the Indo-Nepal border, useful for forest, birding and Terai ecology coverage.

SuhaildevWildlifeForest
River Route

Rapti River and Bhinga Route

Rapti river landscape and Bhinga headquarters route, useful for district orientation, rural travel and Terai river culture.

RaptiBhingaRiver
Craft Cluster

Shravasti Tharu Craft and Furniture Cluster

ODOP notes Tharu tribal craft and local furniture manufacturing using forest resources like rosewood, teakwood, acacia and neem.

TharuFurnitureODOP
A LITTLE OFF THE USUAL ROUTE

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Local Food

Shravasti food should cover simple Buddhist pilgrimage meals, vegetarian thalis, Terai rice-dal, seasonal vegetables, Tharu-style local dishes, gur sweets, tea and snacks around Sahet-Mahet, Ikauna and Bhinga.

Sahet-Mahet, Jetavana and monastery belt

Buddhist Pilgrim Vegetarian Thali

Simple vegetarian meals, rice, dal, vegetables and light food suited to meditation and pilgrimage travel.

Ikauna, Bhinga and rural markets

Terai Rice Dal and Seasonal Greens

Local Terai meal base with rice, dal, saag, vegetables and rural household flavours.

Tharu village and forest-edge routes

Tharu Style Rural Food

Respectful coverage of Tharu food traditions with rice, greens, local grains, seasonal vegetables and simple forest-edge meals.

Bhinga, Ikauna and Sahet-Mahet route

Gur Sweets Tea and Pilgrim Snacks

Tea, poori-sabzi, kachori, sweets, gur snacks and light travel food for pilgrimage circuits.

THROUGH ANOTHER TRAVELLER’S EYES

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A LITTLE PLANNING GOES A LONG WAY

Before you set off.

October to March is best for Sahet-Mahet, Jetavana, Jain temple, Vipassana centre, Vibhuti Nath and Suhaildev forest routes. Buddha Purnima and Kartik Purnima are important spiritual windows.

March to June · 32-43 C

Summer

Hot plains and Terai weather. Heritage walks should be early morning or evening with shade and water.

July to September · 27-34 C

Monsoon

Rainy and humid with green fields and forest routes. Ancient mounds and rural roads can be slippery.

October to February · 12-26 C

Winter

Best season for Sahet-Mahet, Jetavana, Jain temple, meditation centres, Bhinga route and Suhaildev forest.

By Air

Lucknow airport

    By Train

    Balrampur and Gonda railheads

      By Road

      Gonda, Bhinga, Ikauna and Buddhist circuit