Raw data
Buddhist scripture attributes this very old monastic site to the time of the Buddha, founded by a banker named Ghosita. The site has been located near Kosambi and identified by inscriptions. Archaeology suggests continuous occupation down to the sixth century when it was likely destroyed in the Hun invasion. Xuanzang found it an unoccupied ruin.
See Sukumar Dutt, buddhist Monks and Monasteries of India: their history and contribution to Indian culture (London: George Allen and Unwin Ltd. 1962), p. 65.
See also the excavations at Kosambi published in Indian Archaeology (1955 - 56).
Src: India
Input by: Stewart Gordon, Aug 28, 2009
Kosambi is near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. Kosambi was once great historic city with the capital of Vamsa. The city has witnessed several important events in the Buddha's life. On the tour of Kosambi, you will come across the Ashokan Pillar and the ruins of the Ghositarama, which was first built during the Buddha's lifetime. […]
http://www.buddhisttoursindia.com/buddhist-tour-destinations/kosambi-tours.html
How to Reach
Kosambi is well connected by road from Allahabad (51km). There are frequent bus and taxi services from Allahabad to Kosambi.
http://travel.mapsofworld.com/buddhist-tourism/india/buddhist-tour-destinations/kosambi-tours.html
The Brahmans generally asserted that it [Kosambi - tmc] stood either on the Granges [a typo, Ganges - tmc], or close to it, and the discovery of the name of Kosdmui mandala, or " Kingdom of 'Kosambi," in an inscription over the gateway of the fort of Khara, seemed to confirm the general belief, although the south-west bearing from Prayaga or Allahabad, as recorded by Hwen Thsang, points unmistakably to the line of the Jumna. In January 1861 Mr. EC Bayley informed me that he believed the ancient Kosambi would be found in the old village of Kosam, on the Jumna, about 30 miles above Allahabad. …
http://books.google.com/books?id=eXIIAAAAQAAJ&pg=RA1-PA303
Kosam Khiraj, India Page
Other names: Kosam Khirāj,Kosam,Kosam Khirag,Kosam Khirāg,Hisambad,Hisāmbād
World:India:State of Uttar Pradesh
Latitude 25.3333 Longitude 81.4000
http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Kosam_Khiraj.html
Allahabad, India Page
Other names: Alla Abba Habab,Prayāg,Prayag,Allahābād
World:India:State of Uttar Pradesh
Latitude 25.4500 Longitude 81.8500
http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Allahabad.html
Final data (and their sources)
Lat/Long coordinates' accuracy:
The monastery in question is assumed to be situated actually no farther than 2 km from the point defined by the coordinates below.
General location of the Ghositarama monastery, IN.
lat=25.3333 long=81.4000
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://www.fallingrain.com), 2009.
Google Map link:
Final data - explanatory notes
1. Monastery's name
- Ghositarama monastery
2. Monastery's modern country & province
- India:State of Uttar Pradesh
3. Monastery's alternative/historical names
final data ….
4. Monastery's lat/long coordinates
- Approx. Lat 25.3333 Long 81.4000 - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Kosam_Khiraj.html
5. Other known nearby Buddhist monasteries
final data ….
6. Modern name of the known nearest city, town, or village
- Kosam Khiraj - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Kosam_Khiraj.html
7. The settlement's alternative/historical names
- Kosam Khirāj - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Kosam_Khiraj.html
- Kosam - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Kosam_Khiraj.html
- Kosam Khirag - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Kosam_Khiraj.html
- Kosam Khirāg - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Kosam_Khiraj.html
- Hisambad - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Kosam_Khiraj.html
- Hisāmbād - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Kosam_Khiraj.html
8. The settlement's coordinates
- Exactly Lat 25.3333 Long 81.4000 - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/36/Kosam_Khiraj.html
9. Monastery's major Buddhist tradition
- Theravada, later Mahayana (by archaeological examination).
10. Monastery's Buddhist sub-tradition
final data ….
11. Date-early
- c. 400 BCE
12. Date-intermediate
final data ….
13. Date-late
- 640 CE
14. Details of contacts with other monasteries
- The Buddha and his followers settled at this and other monasteries, such as Jetavana and Jivakarama, during monsoon.
15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery
- Textual, inscription, pilgrim account
16. Additional notes
final data (incl. details of the size of the monastic population)….
17. Corrections & addenda to this page were kindly provided by
final data ….
end of page
