SRAVASTI

 

Location : Lat 27° 31’ N ; Long. 82° 01’ E
District : Sravasti
State : U.P.
Excavation years :

1987-88 to 2002-2003

Director of Excavations : B.S.Raman, D. Bhengra, L.C. Singh, G.T.Shindey, G.C.Chauley & B. Nath,
Assisted by :

D.K.Ambastha, Vijay Shankar D.K.Singh, N.K.Sinha, S.Nayan, J.K.Tiwari & A.Arif

 

One of the most favourite place of Lord Buddha, Sravasti is situated about 20 kms from Balrampur on Balrampur–Bahraich road in north eastern U.P., here he spent 25 Varsavas (Rainy season) and included most of his preaching.  Several important episodes of Lord Buddha’s life are related with Sravasti like purchase of Jetavan by covering it with gold coins by Anathapindika, and conversion of Angulimala into Buddhism.
Sravasti is also associated with the birth place of two Jain Tirthankaras, Sambhavanatha (3rd) and Chandraprabha (8th). During the time of Lord Buddha it was capital of famous Kosala Mahajanapada ruled by the King Prasenjit.


During 1862- 1863 A. Cunningham discovered  two mounds Saheth and Maheth and identified them as Jetvana and capital city  Sravasti respectively. He exposed the remains of Mulagandha Kuti and other temple as well as monasteries. The inscriptions of Gahadavala king Madanapal and his son Govind Chandra was found during the excavation which refers the donation made by the them to the Jetavana Viharas.
Further Dr. Hoe (1874-1876 and 1884-1885), Vogel (1907-08) and Dr. K.K. Sinha (1959) conducted excavation at Sravasti and discovered several structural activities.


This office, in collaboration with Archaeological Research Institute of Kansai University, Osaka, (Japan) had  conducted archaeological excavation at both the mounds Saheth and Maheth.


At Saheth the remains of a stupa with Puskarni and monastery have been exposed. A crescent shape mud fortification which runs along a circuit of 5.20 km. found at Maheth. The height of rampart varies considerably having about 30 openings. Old bed of river Rapti (ancient Achiravati ) could be seen in the north east of the rampart. At Maheth, house complexes, temple, stupa, citadel area and above all the eastern gate of the city has also discovered. The Exposed house complexes are mostly having a courtyard in the centre with rooms all around. There are remains of either a hauz or big size pitcher in the courtyard for storing the water. Wells and ring wells are also found. Ring wells are used for procuring water, storing grains and  soak pits.


The remains of Panchayatan temple of c. 6th 7th Cent.A.D. enclosed with a  wall also recovered. A smaller temple has also been exposed just north of main temple, probably made for the consort. These temples are survived only with the platform as sanctum. The Shikhara is completely missing.


The other important discovery is its eastern gate having three security points and platform for watchman. The remains of brick rammed ancient road is also found leading towards the ancient city.


The citadel area is enclosed within a wall. The people of Sravasti had a very good sense of sanitation as remain of pucca drain connecting with soak pit are also found.

 

Fairly a large number of terracotta human figurines, animal figurines beads, rattles, hop-scotches and skin rubbers have been found in course of excavation. Silver and copper Punch marked coins, Ayodhya coins and Kushana coins are also found.

 

Our Sites
1. Antichak
2. Sravasti
3. Kolhua
4. Banarshihankalan
5. Ichagarh
6. Dakbungalow
7. Surya Pahar
8. Rajgir
9. Chandimau
10. Baror
11. Juafardih
12. Bangarh
13. Begampur
14. Damankhanda
15. Ghorakatora
16. Lathiya
17. Sakradih

 

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