Kaushambi

The city kaushamnhi, earlier known as Kausam, is situated at around 62 km from Allahabad on the way to Chitrakoot. The city was also once a great Buddhist, center and during his time, Kaushambi was one of the six most important and wealthy towns of India. District Kaushambi is located in the west of Allahabad region. In the North of the area Pratapgarh, in the south Chitrakoot, in the east Allahabad, in the west Fatehpur districts are located. The total geographical area of the district Kaushambhi is 2012.8 sq. km. The ruins of the famous site of Kaushambi (25o20' 30"N., 81o23'12"E.) are located on the left blank of the river Yamuna, at a distance of 51.2 km from Allahabad in a southwesterly direction.

Today, one can see the remains of an Ashoka Pillar, an old fort, and the Ghositaram Monastery. The archaeological excavations here have capitulate a large number of figures, and figurines, coins, punch-marked, and cast coins and terra-cotta sculptures, which show the value of the city. All these religious finds of historical, and archaeological importance, can be viewed at the Allahabad Museum.

In very old India, Hundreds of years earlier than the Christ born, Kaushambi was the capital of Chedi-vatsa janapada, one of the well-known janapadas, into which the Indo-Aryan people were separated.

District Kaushambi, is rich in historical places. Histories of all times demistify the significance of the region. Kara, Prabhasgiri, and Kaushambi are the major historical center. The district is full of holy place, in which Sheetla temple of Kara Dham, and the Jain temple of Prabhosa, is the main attraction.

The place of worship of Ma Sheetla, is located on the bank of Ganga River. It is well known as the main shaktipeeth, from all the 51 shaktipeeths of spirituality. In the idol, Sheetla Devi is sitting on gardhabha, (ass). Followers of all the religions worship in this temple. This place has been a religious pilgrimage since, at least 1000 A.D. Kara is the birth place of the famous saint Malookdas,(1631 - 1739 A.D.). The Aashram and Samadhi of saint are there. He was also a follower of Goddess Kara.

Prabhasgiri or Prabhosa, is well known as a religious historical, situate on the bank of River Yamuna at the Manjhanpur Tehsil, about 50 kms, away in the north of Allahabad. It is also said that Shri Krishna, died at this place, by the shot of Jaratkumar, in the doubt of deer.

In the previous days there was a big Jain temple, on a very big mount. After the devastation of this, another Jain temple was created in 1824A.D. A cave that is 9 feet long and 7 feet wide is also there. This was the place where the sixth teerthankara of Jains, Bhagwan Padma Prabhu, survived most of his life.

Durga Devi temple is located about 1km, away in the southwest of Manjhanpur town area. In this place of worship there is an idol of black stone of Goddess Durga, and Lord Shiva. It is believed that these idols are of the time of Buddha. On the moment of Navaratri, there is a large crowd to worship Goddess Durga.