Tathàgatassa Pacchimà Càrikà
The Realised One's Last Tour

The map shown above is approx. 550 km from East to West and 400 km from North to South

The last year of the Buddha's life is recorded in the Mahàparinibbànasutta of the Dãghanikàya (DN 16), which records his last walking tour in the Middle Country (Majjhimadesa). Before the beginning of the Rains Retreat (Vassàna) the Buddha walked from Ràjagaha to Vesàlã (approx. 90 km) where he stayed for a number of months. Eventually the Buddha left Vesàlã and started walking North and attained Complete Emancipation (Parinibbàna) at Kusinàrà (approx. 270 km, quite a walk when 80 years old and ill).

Looking at the map it very much appears as though the Buddha was actually heading for his home town of Kapilavatthu but succumbed to his illness on the way. The Buddha fell ill with dysentry in Pàvà and according to the very sad story in the Commentary, on the last day of his tour he actually had to sit down and rest no less than 25 times before reaching Kusinàrà in the evening.