Kusavati is not one of the major cities.
Maha-parinibbana
Sutta
The Past Glory of Kusinara
41. When this had been said, the Venerable Ananda spoke to the
Blessed One, saying: "Let it not be, Lord, that the Blessed One
should pass away in this mean place, this uncivilized township in
the midst of the jungle, a mere outpost of the province. There are
great cities, Lord, such as Campa, Rajagaha, Savatthi, Saketa,
Kosambi, and Benares let the Blessed One have his final passing
away in one of those. For in those cities dwell many wealthy nobles
and brahmans and householders who are devotees of the Tathagata,
and they will render due honor to the remains of the
Tathagata."
42. "Do not say that, Ananda! Do not say: 'This mean place, this
uncivilized township in the midst of the jungle, a mere outpost of
the province.' In times long past, Ananda, there was a king by the
name of Maha Sudassana, who was a universal monarch, a king of
righteousness, a conqueror of the four quarters of the earth, whose
realm was established in security, and who was endowed with the
seven jewels.53 And that King Maha Sudassana, Ananda, had his royal
residence here at Kusinara, which was then called Kusavati, and it
extended twelve yojanas from east to west, and seven from north to
south.
43. "And mighty, Ananda, was Kusavati, the capital, prosperous and
well populated, much frequented by people, and abundantly provided
with food. Just as the royal residence of the deities, Alakamanda,
is mighty, prosperous, and well populated, much frequented by
deities and abundantly provided with food, so was the royal capital
of Kusavati.
44. "Kusavati, Ananda, resounded unceasingly day and night with ten
sounds the trumpeting of elephants, the neighing of horses, the
rattling of chariots, the beating of drums and tabours, music and
song, cheers, the clapping of hands, and cries of 'Eat, drink, and
be merry!'
