Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

In this ancient site is where the Buddha is said to have returned after preaching the dhamma in the world of gods (devas or celestial beings) after the twin miracle was performed by him. The Buddha is said to have descended here accompanied by Indra and Brahma after preaching the dhamma to his mother in heaven. In the olden times ladders were built where Buddha lay his foot upon the descent, but now you can see Ashoka Pillar and a shrine with an elephant where the Buddha put his right foot on the ground.

According to another legend the Buddha went up to the Tusita Heaven, spent three months there teaching the Abhidhamma to his mother and then descended back to earth at the village of Sankassya. The story was very popular in ancient times and is often depicted in Buddhist art. However, neither this legend or even Sankassa itself is mentioned in the Tipikaka. Nonetheless from a very early period the place apparently had a special significance for Buddhists. This is suggested by the fact that King Ashoka erected one of his pillars here. It is unlikely that the legend about the Buddha's visit to the Tusita Heaven had developed at such an early time.

Descent of the Buddha from the Trayastrimsa Heaven at Sankissa - It was at Sankissa that (according to the commentaries) the Buddha returned to earth, after preaching the Abhidhamma Pitaka in Tavatimsa, following the performance of the Twin Miracle under the Gandamba tree. As the time approached for the Buddha to leave Tavatimsa, Moggallana (Anuruddha, according to Sutta Nipata Commentary-ii) announced his coming return to the multitude, who had been waiting at Savatthi, fed by Culla Anathapindika, while Moggallana expounded the Dhamma. They then made their way to Sankissa. The descent of the Buddha took place on the day of the Mahapavarana festival. Sakka provides three ladders for the Buddha's descent from Sineru to the earth, on the right was a ladder of gold for the gods, on the left a silver ladder for Maha Brahma and his retinue and in the middle a ladder of jewels for the Buddha. The assembled people covered the earth for thirty leagues round. There was a clear view of the nine Brahma worlds above and of Avici (a hell) below. The Buddha was accompanied by Pancasikha, Matali, Maha Brahma and Suyama. Sariputta was the first to welcome him (followed by Uppalavanna) and the Buddha preached the Law, starting with what was within the comprehension even of a puthujjana and ending with what only a Buddha could understand. On this occasion was preached the Parosahassa Jataka to proclaim to the multitude the unparalleled wisdom of Sariputta. It is said that the Buddha's descent to Sankissa had provided an opportunity for Moggallana to show his eminence in siddhi, Anuruddha in dibbacakkhu and Punna in skill in preaching, and the Buddha wished to give Sariputta a chance of shining in his wisdom. He, therefore, asked of Sariputta questions which no one else could answer. The opening words of the Sariputta Sutta are supposed to refer to this descent from Tusita.