Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c27.862

v2.c27.862

**Payāga, Payāgatittha, Payāgapaṭiṭṭhāna.**—A ford on the Ganges, on the direct route from Verañjā to Benares, the road passing through Soreyya, Saṅkassa and Kaṇṇakujja, and crossing the Ganges at Payāga.¹ It was one of the river-ghats where people did ceremonial bathing to wash away their sins.² It was here that the palace occupied by Mahāpanāda (*q.v.*) was submerged. The Buddha passed it when visiting the brahmin Nanduttara, and Bhaddaji, who was with him, raised the palace once more above the water. Bhaddaji had once been Mahāpanāda.³ Buddhaghosa says⁴ the bathing-place was on the spot where the palace stairs had stood. Reference is made to Payāga even in the time of Padumuttara Buddha.⁵ It is identified with the modern Allahabad, at the confluence of the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā.