The Tushita is one of the celestial heavens of the six heavens of the desire realm where gods and bodhisattvas reside. It is from this heaven that supreme nirmanakaya buddhas descend to take birth in the world. Buddha Shakyamuni resided there as bodhisattva Shvetaketu (Skt. Śvetaketu) and, before descending to this world, placed his crown on bodhisattva Maitreya's head, inviting him to the throne of Tushita until he in turn takes birth as the future buddha.

Buddha’s mother Mayadevi was reborn in Indra’s heaven. To repay her kindness and to liberate her, and also to benefit the gods, Buddha spent three months teaching in the realm of the gods. When he was about to return to this world, Indra and Brahma manifested three stairs of 80,000 yojanas each reaching this world in Sankisa. As the Buddha walked down the central one, they accompanied him to his left and right carrying umbrellas to honour him. He descended to earth in Sankisa, which is located in modern Uttar Pradesh, and which is counted among the eight holy places.

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And this return is reminiscent of this auspicious day. 

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