A township (nigama) of the Sākyā. The Buddha stayed there during his tours and taught the monks on various topics (S.iii.5 f; iv.124 f; M.ii.214). According to the Commentaries (J.i.52; BuA.226; MA.ii.924, 1021, etc; ThigA.182) it was the city of the birth of Mahāmāyā and of Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī and of their companions, who married the Sākyā of Kapilavatthu.

The Lumbinīvana, where the Buddha was born, was near Devadaha. The name was originally that of a lake, so called either because kings held their sports in it (devā vuccanti rājāno tesaṃ maṅgaladaho), or because it came into existence without human intervention, hence divine (sayañjāto vā so daho, tasmā pi Devadaho). The name was later transferred to the village nearby. SA.ii.186; also MA.ii.810. According to the Dulva (Rockhill, p.12), the city was founded by Sākyā from Kapilavatthu, when they grew very numerous. The spot was pointed out by a deva, hence its name.

Suppabuddha of Devadaha was a contemporary of Suddhodana (p.14).

Devadaha was the residence of Devadaha Sakka (Mhv.ii.17; MT.87) and of Pakkha Thera (ThagA.i.114).