SARNATH – Derivated from Saranganath or ‘Lord of Deer’

Derivated from Saranganath or ‘Lord of Deer’, the town is about 10 kms North-East from Varanasi. Once known as ‘Rishipattana’, it was here where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon when he presented the Maha Dharma Chakra Pravartan (Turned the wheel of dharma) before the world. Samrat Ashok visited around 234 B.C. and built a stupa here. Sarnath is visited for its Deer Park, Archaeological Museum, monasteries and Buddha temples etc. Hire a cab or auto-rickshaw from Varanasi railway station.

Sarnath is the Historical Town of Ancient Bharat 

Sarnath is where, circa 528 BCE, at 35 years of age, Gautama Buddha taught his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. It is also where the Buddhist sangha first came into existence as a result of the enlightenment of his first five disciples (Kaundinya, Assaji, Bhaddiya, Vappa and Mahanama)

Dhamek Stupa 

One of the most beautiful monuments, the lofty stupa stands at a site where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after he attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. This is where he brought-forth the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta and the Anattalakkhana Sutta, Standing 43.6 m high with a base diameter of 28 m, the stupa was built in stone and brick.

Chaukhandi Stupa 

The huge stupa marks the site where Lord Buddha munited with his five disciples who wer separated from him in Bodh Gaya Right above the stupa is an octagonal structure constructed later. It is the first edifice that can be seen as one enters Sarnath

Excavated Archaeological 

The Archaeological Site highlights the grandeur of the ancient times. In an open exhibition, structures like Ashokan Column, monuments, relics, monasteries, etc. from the Mauryan period are displayed here.

Archaeological Museum 

Travel back in time to the period between 3rd century B.C. and 12th century AD. through the rare artifacts displayed here. The museum preserves a large number of sculptures, statues of goddess Tara, Bodhisattva and the iconic Ashoka Lion, which is the National Emblem of India.

Shreyanshnath Jain Temple

Visit the beautiful temple built in the year 1824 and pay obeisance to the 11th Tirthankara-Shreyanshnath. Believed to be his birthplace, it has frescoes depicting the life of Bhagwan Mahavir.

Thai Temple

Set amidst lush green gardens, the magnificent Hinayana Buddha temple was built by Thai dignitaries in 1933 who visited Sarnath. The statue of Lord Buddha here is in Bhumisparshamudra, where he touches the ground to summon the mortal spirits from the netherworld.

Tibetan Temple 

Turn the Wheel of Dhamma in the Tibetan Temple famous for its thangka paintings and the beautiful statue of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Deer Park 

The King of Varanasi gifted this forest area. It still holds a lot of pride for the locals. Here, Lord Buddha taught the laws of Dharma to the world. He taught Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta and the Anattalakkhana Sutta to his disciples so that they can propagate the same. A large number of deers inhabited the area during those times.

Saranganath Temple 

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the ancient temple houses two Shivalinga in a single Argha. It is known for its vibrant fair during Shravan (July-August) which takes place for one full month. Nearby is the huge Sarangnath kund. The name Sarnath comes from Sarangnath.

Mulagandha Kuti Vihar

In here is Lord Buddha’s golden statue, in his first sermon delivering posture. It is placed on a platform under which his relics are kept. These are taken out every year on Buddha Poornima. The inner walls of the temple have beautiful frescoes created by the Japanese