About Sravasti
Capital of the ancient Kosala kingdom. The Buddha spent 24 of his 45 monsoon retreats here, more than at any other place. You will find the site of the Twin Miracle and the Anathapindika-built Jetavana monastery, where foundation stones still outline the Gandhakuti that served as the Buddha's residence.
History
Sravasti — ancient Savatthi — was the capital of the Kosala kingdom under King Pasenadi during the Buddha's lifetime, the largest city of north India and the Buddha's chief urban patron-base. The wealthy banker Anathapindika bought the prince Jeta's grove for the Buddha by covering its ground with gold coins, and built the Jetavana monastery — the Buddha spent 19 monsoons here, more than at any other site. The neighbouring Pubbarama monastery, built by the laywoman Visakha, hosted another 6 retreats. It was at Sravasti that the Buddha performed the Twin Miracle (Yamaka Patihariya), simultaneously emanating fire and water from his body, to convert the heretic teachers — an event commemorated in countless Asian Buddhist artworks. The Anandabodhi tree at Jetavana, planted by the disciple Ananda from a sapling of the Bodhgaya Bodhi tree, is one of the longest continuously living trees on earth — over 2,500 years. The site declined after the 12th century and was identified by Alexander Cunningham in 1863.
Best Time to Visit
October to March
Entry fees in your currency
- Indian / SAARC / BIMSTEC adult₹20$…
- Foreign National₹250$…
- Children below 15Free—
Live INR rates, refreshed hourly. Confirm at the gate counter — entry fees may have changed since this page was updated.
Entry Fee · Tickets
How much does it cost to visit Sravasti?
Saheth Mahet archaeological complex has a paid ticket. Adjacent monasteries are free.
- Indian / SAARC / BIMSTEC adult₹20
- Foreign National₹250
- Children below 15Free
- Open sunrise to sunset, all days
- Tickets at the gate or asi.payumoney.com
- Anandabodhi tree is inside the ticketed area; meditation under it is allowed but quiet only
Plan your visit
Stay, fly, or ride to Sravasti, Uttar Pradesh
Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Traveller photos
Photos from people who’ve been
Be the first to add a shot of how it really looks.
Got a photo from your visit? Add it here.
Uploading anonymously is fine — but sign in so your photos move with you across devices.
Loading photos…
Traveller reviews
What others say about Sravasti
Sign in to leave a review for Sravasti.
Sign inLoading reviews…
Travel Tips
- From Lucknow: 4-hour drive (175 km); from Gorakhpur (closest railhead with regular services): 5 hours
- Combine with Lumbini (Nepal, 200 km) and Kushinagar (170 km) — the standard 3-stop North Buddhist circuit
- The Jetavana site is a quiet 1 km walk; the Sahet Mahet ruins, the Anandabodhi tree and the Gandhakuti Vihara can all be done on foot
- Stay at the Lotus Nikko or the Sri Lankan / Thai monasteries — the Korean Soong Temple runs 3-day silent retreats October–March
- Saheth-Maheth ASI Museum (small, free) holds excavated Mauryan and Gupta sculpture
Temples & Heritage Sites
- Jetavana Vihara — the Gandhakuti (Buddha's residence) and Anandabodhi tree
- Pubbarama (Eastern Monastery) — Visakha's monastery foundations
- Saheth Mahet ASI Museum — Mauryan and Gupta finds
- Sri Lankan, Thai, Korean, Burmese, Chinese monasteries — clustered near the Jetavana entrance
How to Reach Sravasti
Sravasti is located in Uttar Pradesh, India at coordinates 27.5253°N, 82.0341°E. You can reach Sravasti by air (nearest airport in Uttar Pradesh), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
How to reach Sravasti from major cities
Sravasti from Lucknow
~164 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹135 · 3h 37m
- State Bus (Deluxe) ₹315 · 3h 41m
- Train (3AC) ₹400 · 3h 23m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹2,435 · 3h 14m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹135) · Fastest: Outstation Cab (Sedan) (3h 14m).
Sravasti from Delhi
~611 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹370 · 11h 25m
- Train (3AC) ₹970 · 10h 31m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹1,670 · 11h 30m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹8,240 · 11h 21m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹370) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (10h 31m).
Sravasti from Jaipur
~777 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹460 · 14h 18m
- Train (3AC) ₹1,185 · 13h 11m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹2,100 · 14h 31m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹10,395 · 14h 22m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹460) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (13h 11m).
Sravasti from Kolkata
~1053 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹1,545 · 17h 36m
- Train (2AC) ₹2,240 · 17h 36m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹2,815 · 19h 33m
- Flight (Economy) ₹5,990 · 4h 2m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹1,545) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 2m).
Sravasti from Ahmedabad
~1343 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹1,920 · 22h 15m
- Train (2AC) ₹2,785 · 22h 15m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹3,575 · 24h 49m
- Flight (Economy) ₹7,035 · 4h 27m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹1,920) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 27m).
Sravasti from Hyderabad
~1481 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹2,100 · 24h 27m
- Train (2AC) ₹3,040 · 24h 27m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹3,930 · 27h 20m
- Flight (Economy) ₹7,530 · 4h 39m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹2,100) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 39m).
Fares are indicative estimates based on distance — verify with the operator before booking.
Planning Your Visit to Sravasti
Sravasti lies in Uttar Pradesh, India, and ranks among the state’s most-visited pilgrimage destinations. The nearest major city and transport gateway is Lucknow, roughly 131 km away — most travellers route through Lucknow by air or rail before continuing on to Sravasti. Time your trip for October to March for the most comfortable weather.
Visitors from United States are eligible for India’s e-Tourist Visa — apply online a few days before you fly. Foreign nationals pay ₹250 entry at Sravasti, and all on-site costs are in Indian Rupees (₹); use the currency converter above to see each ticket tier in your home currency.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Sravasti?
- The best time to visit Sravasti is October to March.
- What are the top travel tips for Sravasti?
- From Lucknow: 4-hour drive (175 km); from Gorakhpur (closest railhead with regular services): 5 hours. Combine with Lumbini (Nepal, 200 km) and Kushinagar (170 km) — the standard 3-stop North Buddhist circuit. The Jetavana site is a quiet 1 km walk; the Sahet Mahet ruins, the Anandabodhi tree and the Gandhakuti Vihara can all be done on foot. Stay at the Lotus Nikko or the Sri Lankan / Thai monasteries — the Korean Soong Temple runs 3-day silent retreats October–March. Saheth-Maheth ASI Museum (small, free) holds excavated Mauryan and Gupta sculpture.
- Where is Sravasti located?
- Sravasti is in Uttar Pradesh, India, at 27.5253° N, 82.0341° E. The nearest major city and transport hub is Lucknow, about 131 km away.
- What are the best places to visit near Sravasti?
- Top attractions near Sravasti include Kushinagar (about 203 km away), Alopi Devi Temple (Madhaveshwari) (about 231 km away), Sarnath (about 258 km away) — all easy to combine on a Uttar Pradesh trip.
- What is the entry fee at Sravasti for foreign tourists?
- Foreign nationals pay ₹250 to enter Sravasti (rates last verified 2025-10). Indian and other ticket tiers are listed in the Entry Fee section above.
- How to reach Sravasti from Lucknow?
- Sravasti is about 164 km from Lucknow. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹135, 3h 37m), State Bus (Deluxe) (~₹315, 3h 41m), Train (3AC) (~₹400, 3h 23m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹135) and the fastest is Outstation Cab (Sedan) (3h 14m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
- How to reach Sravasti from Delhi?
- Sravasti is about 611 km from Delhi. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹370, 11h 25m), Train (3AC) (~₹970, 10h 31m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹1,670, 11h 30m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹370) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (10h 31m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
- How to reach Sravasti from Jaipur?
- Sravasti is about 777 km from Jaipur. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹460, 14h 18m), Train (3AC) (~₹1,185, 13h 11m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹2,100, 14h 31m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹460) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (13h 11m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
Discover India
Planning a trip to India?
Most of our editors live and travel across India. Here are some of the destinations and stories worth bookmarking before you go.
