Kapilavattu (Kapilavastu) is the childhood home of Gautama Buddha, on account of it being the capital of the Shakyas, over whom his father ruled. Kapilavastu is the place where Siddhartha Gautama spent 29 years of his life.

After his awakening, the Buddha returned two times to his home city of Kapilavattu. During his first visit, he taught the Dhamma to his father, King Suddhodana; his step-mother, Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī; his former wife, Princess Yasodharā Bimbā; and his son, Rāhula, as well as many other relatives. A large number of these relatives were later ordained as bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs.

During the Buddha’s second visit, King Suddhodana became an arahant shortly before dying. Most of the relatives who ordained also became arahants, and played an important role in the spread of the Dhamma. Among them were Venerables Ānanda, Anuruddha, Rāhula, and Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī bhikkhunī.

Some archaeologists have identified present-day Tilaurakot, Nepal, while some others have identified present-day Piprahwa, India as the location for the historical site of Kapilavastu, the seat of governance of the Shakya state that would have covered the region. Both sites contain archaeological ruins.