Sankissa

Sankissa, also known as Sankasya, is an ancient city in India significant in Buddhist tradition. It is believed to be the place where the Buddha descended from Tushita Heaven after teaching Abhidhamma to his mother, Maya, and other deities. This event is known as the "Great Descent" or "Triple Manifestation" because the Buddha was accompanied by Brahma and Indra on three ladders (gold, silver, and crystal).

The exact location of ancient Sankissa is debated, but the modern-day village of Sankisa Basantapur, located in the Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India, is widely accepted as its likely site. Archaeological evidence supports this identification.

Sankissa is one of the eight great places of Buddhist pilgrimage. The Ashok Stambha (pillar of Ashoka), even though only the stump remains, is a prominent landmark at the site. Ruins of monasteries and stupas have been excavated, providing further evidence of a significant Buddhist presence in the past.

While not as extensively visited as other Buddhist pilgrimage sites like Bodh Gaya or Sarnath, Sankissa holds immense religious importance due to its association with the Buddha's descent from heaven. The site attracts Buddhist pilgrims, particularly those from Theravada countries, who come to pay homage and reflect on the Buddha's teachings.