Shravasti

Shravasti, near the Rapti River, was the capital of ancient Kosala and a meeting point of important trading routes. Buddhist tradition remembers it as the place where the Buddha spent many rainy seasons and delivered numerous teachings. The wealthy patron Anathapindada offered him the grove of Jetavana, while King Prasenajit ruled from the city. Jain tradition also honours Shravasti as the birthplace of the teacher Sambhavanatha. Its temples and monasteries remained important for centuries before the city declined.