Shravasti

Shravasti is a town and the administrative headquarters of Shravasti district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It sits in the Awadh region near the Rapti River and forms part of the area that was once ancient Kosala.

In antiquity, Shravasti (Savatthi in Pali) was one of the major urban centers in northern India and served as the capital of Kosala. It is frequently mentioned in Buddhist literature as a principal city of learning and monastic life. The Buddha is said to have spent several rainy seasons there, with the Jetavana monastery—an important Buddhist monastery nearby—being a renowned center of devotion and study, traditionally associated with patronage from merchants and lay supporters.

Today, Shravasti preserves remnants and ruins linked to its ancient past, and the surrounding district contains archaeological sites of interest to researchers and pilgrims. The modern district of Shravasti was established in 1997, having been carved out of the former Basti district. The economy is largely agricultural, with farming communities producing crops typical of the region.

Shravasti remains a site of interest for Buddhist heritage and heritage tourism, attracting pilgrims and scholars who study its historic role in early Buddhism and its urban history in ancient India. The town is connected by road and rail to other parts of Uttar Pradesh, supporting local commerce and visitors to the area.