A ford on the Ganges, on the direct route from Verańjā to Benares, the road passing through Soreyya, Sankassa and Kannakujja, and crossing the Ganges at Payāga (Vin.iii.11).
It was one of the river ghats where people did ceremonial bathing to wash away their sins (M.i.39; J.vi.198). It was here that the palace occupied by Mahāpanāda was submerged. The Buddha passed it when visiting the brahmin Nanduttara, and Bhaddaji, who was with him, raised the palace once more above the water. Bhaddaji had once been Mahāpanāda (Mhv.xxxi.6ff).
Buddhaghosa says (MA.i.145; DA.iii.856) the bathing place was on the spot where the palace stairs had stood. Reference is made to Payāga even in the time of Padumuttara Buddha (AA.i.126).
It is identified with the modern Allahabad, at the confluence of the Gangā and the Yamunā.