Sankasya is said to be the place where Lord Buddha, according to legend, descended from heaven via a ladder of gold, along with Lord Brahma and Indra, after giving sermons to his mother. Famous Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang, in his travelogue, mentioned Sankasya as Kapittha. He also recorded the construction of a ladder by a local prince at the site. It is said that after the mahaparinirvana (enlightenment) of Lord Buddha, king Ashoka had developed Sankasya and installed his famous Ashoka Pillar. The pillar has an elephant carving, which is said to be representative of the white elephant that Buddha’s mother, Mayadevi, dreamt at the time of his conception.

Legend has it that during the time of Ramayana, it was known as Sanaskya Nagar and ruled by King Kushadhwaja, the younger brother of King Janaka, the father of Goddess Sita. The place is also known for a temple dedicated to Bisari Devi, the goddess of fertility. There is a colossal shivalinga here. Every year, in the month of Shravan (July-August), a fair is organised that attracts tourists from far and wide.