Sarnath is one of the most beautiful sites in the world, marking the place where the Buddha delivered his first sermon, taught his first disciples and introduced the world to his doctrine of peace. The site lies 10 kilometers north of the city of Varanasi, and it is said that the Buddha came here to a tranquil shady forest teeming with deer and was persuaded by his followers to speak of his experiences after his enlightenment at Bodh Gaya (Bihar) and to set up the first Buddhist sangha or order.
Its religious significance and association with the Buddha made Sarnath a popular pilgrim spot for more than a thousand years (third century BC to the thirteenth century). Today the site consists of commemorative stupas, remains of monasteries of different historical periods, some new Buddhist institutions, and a museum with a wonderful collection of Buddhist art.
Buddhists wordwide look upon India as the land of the Buddha and a visit to this country means a pilgrimage to those places sacred to the memory of the Enlightened One. After the Bouddha attanined enlightenment in Bodh Gaya he came to sarnath. Here in the Deer Park, he delivered his first sermon, or in religious language, set in motion the wheel of Law (maha- Dharmachakra Pravartan). On the day before his death Buddha included Sarnath along with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar as the four places he thought to be sacred to his followers.
The Emperor Ashoka, who spread the Buddha’s message of love and compassion throughout his vast empire, visited Sarnath around 234BC,and erected a stupa here. Several Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD, and today it presents the most expansive ruins amongst places on the Buddhist trail. Sarnath is 10 km from the holy city of Varanasi, and is an exceedingly tranqiuil place. The ruins, the museum and temple are all within walking distance.
Chaukhandi is the first monument one encounters as one enters Sanath. It is a lofty mound of brick –work whose square endifice is surrounded by a octagonal tower. Originally said to built by Emperor Ashoka.
The most remarkable structure at Sarnath, is the cylindrical Dhamek Stupa, 28 mts in diameter at the base and 43.6 mts in height, built partly of stone and partly of brick. The stone facing the lower part is adorned with delicate floral carvings of Gupta origin.
Sarnath yielded a rich collection of sculptures comprising numerous Buddha and Bodhisattva images. Considerde amongst the finest specimens of Buddhist art, these have been housed at the museum, adjiacent to the site. The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm, and closed on Fridays. Apart from the above the other objects of lnterest at Sarnath are the Dharmrajika Stup, magnificent Lion capital, India’s National Emblem at Sarnath museum, the Saddharmachakra Vihar’s at excavated ruins.
AIR : The nearest airport is Babatpur : 30 km.
RAIL : Sarnath is directly connected by Varanasi- Gorakhpur Exp 0549 / 0550 and Varanasi – Bhatni- Varanasi Exp 0551/ 0552. See Varanasi also.
ROAD : Sarnath 10 km from Varanasi, is well connected by road.
