Historical Geography of Ancient India c8.288

c8.288

*Kukkuṭapādagiri* (also called *Gurupādagiri*).—Stein has located it on the Sobhnāth hill, the highest peak in a range of hills further south-west from Kurkihār and about four miles distant from the village of Wazirganj (*I.A.*, March, 1901, p. 88). Some have identified it with Gurpā hill about 100 li east of Bodh-Gayā (*J.A.S.B.*, 1906, p. 77). Cunningham has identified it with the three peaks situated about a mile to the north of Kurkihār and 16 miles north-east of Gayā (C.A.G.I., ed. Majumdar, p. 721). The three peaks are said to have been the scene of some of the miracles of the Buddhist saint Mahākāśyapa. According to Hiuen Tsang, the lofty peaks of the Kukkuṭapāda or the Gurupāda mountain are the endless cliffs and its deep valleys are boundless ravines. Its lower slopes have their gullies covered with tall trees, and rank vegetation clothes the steep heights. A threefold cliff projects in isolated loftiness reaching the sky and blending with the clouds. Mahākāśyapa took up his abode on this mountain (Watters, On Yuan Chwang, II, p. 143).