Sarnath is located at 13 Km to North-East of Varanasi and is one among the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres across the country. Here at Bodh Gaya Lord Buddha attained the Enlightenment and preached his first sermon, sacred as Maha Dharm Chakra Parivartan. Because of this belief Sarnath is being worshipped among Buddhists, Hindus and other religion as the centre for Buddhism Pilgrimage. Several structures and monuments here resemble the historical and religious importance of this city. It is believed that Chaukhandi Stupa is the place, where Lord Buddha had met his first five disciples when he visited Sarnath for the first time.
The city consists of various historical archaeological findings also, which increases the importance of Sarnath. In 273.232 B.C. the Great Emperor Ashoka had established the smooth glistening pillar which marks the foundation of the Buddhist Sangha and the Lion Capital atop this pillar, which is now India’s National Emblem.
Chaukhandi Stupa is situated at 13 KM from Varanasi. While building the Stupa, bricks used in it were like Octagonal Tower (during Gupta Period in 4th to 6th Century). Later on, little modification was made by Mughal Emperor Akbar in year 1588 to memorize the shelter of Humayun at Sarnath.
When Lord Buddha visited Sarnath for the first time, he met his first 5 disciples at Chaukhandi Stupa. It is believed that he visited Sarnath post 528 BCE after getting enlightenment at Bodh Gaya to meet his disciples Mahanama, Koudanna, Bhaddiya, Vappa and Asvajita. He met them and shared his knowledge which he had got from enlightenment.
First conversation of Lord Buddha on Dharma was given at Dhamekh Stupa. Stupa was founded in 249 BC by Samrat Ashoka. During 5th century, it was reconstructed and modifications were implemented. It is also known as Dharma Chakra Stupa. The shape of Stupa is solid and cylindrical with height of approx. 43.6 m and diameter of 28 m. Stupa also contains 8 niches having images of Lord Buddha.
Near to Dhamekh Stupa, another treasure of Sarnath is situated named, Dharmarajika Stupa. It was constructed by King Ashoka which further destroyed in 1794 by Jagat Singh (to use the bricks for other construction purpose) during which, a box with bones was found. It is believed that this box contains the remains of bones of Lord Buddha. At Indian Museum Kolkata, one can find this box, where it has been kept safely. It is considered that the bones were disposed-off in Ganga by Jagat Singh.
To place and preserve the historical and antique things, a famous Archaeological Museum has been constructed at Sarnath. Museum consists of various objects of Buddhist arts, images of Hindu Gods and other ancient things. Museum also consists of five Galleries and two Varandahs. While visiting the Museum, one is not allowed to do photography inside the premises.
Timing: From 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM. Museum opens on Saturday to Thursday.
While visiting Sarnath, one must visit Ashoka Pillar which is located amidst the ruins. Its structure represents broken stone cylinders. These are considered as remnants of the real Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath. Ashoka has constructed many pillars after his name in India. Every Ashoka pillar consists of Ashoka Chakra, which was ruined by Turk invasions. During Mining and Digging work at Sarnath in 1904, broken Ashoka Pillars and Fragments of Ashoka Chakra were founded.
This temple was built in 1931 by Sri Lankan Mahabodhi Society at Sarnath. It is said that this is the place where Lord Buddha has spent his first rainy season. On the wall of temple, beautiful frescoes are incorporated which depict the life of Lord Buddha.
This tree is situated near Mulagandhakuti Vihara Buddhist temple. This tree is considered to be the holiest place for Buddhist religion. People have faith that under this tree Lord Buddha had attained enlightenment. On November 12, 1931 founder of Maha Bodhi Society of India (Sri Devamitta Dhammapala) had taken a branch from the original Shri Bodhi tree of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka and planted it here.
Ruins of Mulagandhakuti Vihara are found in Sarnath. These ruins depict various historical incidents, culture, tradition and art of Buddhism during 200 BC. It is believed that in these monasteries around 3,000 monks used to live during Gupta Period, which is near to Dhameka Stupa.
This temple has religious belief among Buddhists. It is one of centre of attraction among the pilgrims of Buddhist, Hindu and other religion.
This temple was constructed around the month of February, 1908. In February, 2008 the temple has completed 100 years of its establishment. It is also one among the oldest temples of Buddhism, situated near to Deer Park at Sarnath.
Tallest statue (80-feet-tall) of Lord Buddha in India is situated at Sarnath Thai temple near Varanasi. 815 stones were used in building this statue. It took around 14 years to complete the construction process of this statue.
Sri Digamber Jain Temple is considered to be one of the most pious and sacred pilgrim among the Jain devotees. It is the religious place for Digamber Monasticism which is known as a branch of Jain Religion. Nearest famous landmark for Sri Digamber Jain Temple is Dhamekh Stupa.
On the west side of Deer Park, Burmese Buddhist Temple of Sarnath is located. It is the holy destination for Buddhist devotees. Huge number of devotees comes here to make wishes and pray. It was built in 1910 following the Buddhist tradition, Theravada.
Sarnath word is derived from Sarangnath or the Deer God. Deer Park (in Sarnath) is the place where Lord Buddha has given his first sermon. As per Huien Tsang, the famous Chinese Monk, development of Deer Park was done by Jataka King, Benaras. The park was constructed mainly for deer so that they can roam here free. The park also consists of an array of bird life. One can spend some luxurious time apart from hectic life as atmosphere here is very soothing and relaxing.