KOSAMBE NUWARA

 The capital of the powerful Vatsa kingdom was Kosamba. At that time, its ruler was King Udeni. It is mentioned in ancient texts that it was named Kosambi because the sage Kusumbha lived there and because Kosamba trees were abundant. Kosambi is a famous city mentioned in Indian history and Buddhist texts. There were four monasteries here that the Buddha built and consecrated for the Sangha. Ghositaramaya, Kukkutaramaya, Pavarika Ambavanaya and Badarikaramaya are those monasteries. Similarly, the mountain called Sunsumaragira and Migadaya in Bhagga were located near Kosamba city and the Buddha also resided there. The foremost of the disciples of Gautama Sasuna, the great Arahant Pindola Bharadwaja, also resided for a time at Ghositarama in Kosamba. He was also the son of the priest of King Udeni, who reigned in Kosamba. The Blessed One resided on the Sungsumara mountain for the eighth year and in Kosamba for the ninth year. The Buddha resided in the above-mentioned monasteries at his own discretion, more than in Kosamba. The Sangharama built and dedicated by the sage Ghosita in his garden is Ghositarama. The Buddha resided here on several occasions and gave sermons. The Blessed One spent the ninth year of his life at Ghositarama in Kosamba. Similarly, the Buddha spent the tenth year of his life in the Parileya forest. It was located in the kingdom of Kosala. This is also known as the Rakkhita forest.