to 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 are 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 Asoka 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.
Hiuen Tsiang came to Sankassa he saw Asoka's pillar but
today only the capital remains. It sits in a large
pavilion surrounded by an iron fence. Consisting of an elephant
with its head now missing, it is a clumsy piece of work
lacking the realism and vigour of Asoka's other capitals.
Nearby is a large mound with a Hindu temple on it, obviously
the remains of a stupa. Sankassya is a long way from anywhere,
difficult to get to and having no associations with the
historical Buddha and little to see, is hardly worth the
effort involved in getting there. There are two temples
that are happy to offer accommodation if you need it.