During the Mahabharata and Mahajanapada periods, Sankisa was a prominent city of the Panchala region, situated approximately 37 km from the district headquarters. The Valmiki Ramayana mentions it as the capital of Kushadhwaja, the younger brother of King Janaka.
Sankisa holds special significance for followers of Buddhism and is regarded as one of the eight major sites associated with the life of Gautama Buddha. According to Buddhist texts, this is the site where Buddha descended from heaven and delivered sermons. It is believed that seven years after attaining enlightenment, he imparted teachings of the Abhidhamma here and descended on the full moon day of Shravan.
Several Buddhist temples and chaityas constructed by various countries adorn the site. An ancient mound preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India stands here, along with an Ashokan Pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka. The noted archaeologist Alexander Cunningham documented this site extensively in his travel accounts. Devotees from Myanmar, China, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Japan visit Sankisa for pilgrimage and circumambulation.
Visiting Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
