Sarnath Varanasi

Sarnath (along with Bodhgaya and Kushinagar in India and Lumbini in Nepal) is one of the world's four most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. It has special significance because it's the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon. However, you don't have to be Buddhist to enjoy visiting it. Sarnath also makes a peaceful and refreshing side trip from Varanasi. Many people are surprised to discover Sarnath has Jain and Hindu connections too. Find out what you need to know to visit in this guide.

History of Sarnath

A long time ago, around the 5th century B.C., a young prince named Siddhartha Guatama was born in Lumbini. He led a very sheltered and lavish life. However, just before he turned 30, he ventured out into the countryside, where he encountered illness and death. This prompted him to give everything up and search for liberation from suffering.

Eventually, he realized that liberation comes from disciplining the mind. He then sat down to meditate under a sacred fig tree and resolved not to get up until he became enlightened. It happened profoundly on one full moon night. The tree (which came to be known as the Bodhi tree in reflection of his awakening) was located at the site of the magnificent Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya.

The Buddha didn't start preaching at Bodhgaya, though. There were five people he wanted to teach first. He'd previously practiced physical discipline with them as a means to liberation. They'd left him in disgust after he decided it wasn't the right path to liberation. The Buddha heard they were dwelling in a deer park at Sarnath, so he headed there. They were so impressed with his newfound wisdom and Four Noble Truths that they became his first disciples.

Buddhism flourished in Sarnath due to its proximity to Varanasi. However, most of the structures were built by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka a couple of centuries after the religion was established. Guilt over his brutal invasion of Kalinga (present-day Odisha on India's east coast) caused him to convert to Buddhism and practice nonviolence. He enthusiastically went about constructing stupas and pillars across India to promote the religion.

The most celebrated pillar is the one at Sarnath. The national emblem of India, featuring four lions and a dharma chakra (the wheel representing Buddhist teachings), is derived from it. The chakra also appears on the Indian flag.

Subsequent rulers added to the stupas and monasteries that Ashoka built at Sarnath. During the reign of the Gupta dynasty in the 4th century A.D., Sarnath was an active center of art and Buddhist sculpture. By the 7th century, Sarnath had become a major center for the study of Buddhism, and thousands of monks were living in monasteries there.

Unfortunately, Turkish Muslim invaders arrived in the 12th century and destroyed much of Sarnath and many other Buddhist sites in North India. Most of what remained of the Dharmarajika Stupa, made by Ashoka, was further demolished in the late 18th century by Jagat Singh (Dewan of Raja Chet Singh of Banaras) and used as building materials. However, this rediscovery of Sarnath prompted British archeologists to excavate the site in the 19th and 20th centuries.

What to See in Sarnath?

The main attraction is the Dhamekh stupa complex, where the excavated ruins are located. It's set in a landscaped park and contains the well-preserved Dhamekh Stupa (at the spot where the Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon), plus the remains of Buddhist monasteries, the Ashoka Pillar, and Dharmarajika Stupa. The complex is open daily from dawn until dusk.

A new high-tech sound and light show, inaugurated in November 2020, takes place every evening from 7.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the park at Dhamekh stupa. It narrates Lord Buddha’s life and teachings in the enchanting baritone voice of popular Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan.

On display at the attractive Sarnath Archaeological Museum, next to the Dhamekh stupa complex, are interesting artifacts dating from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. The impressive top of the Ashoka Pillar is also a highlight. The museum is open daily, except Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Modern-day temples and monasteries belonging to various Buddhist countries are dotted around the town. Each has its architectural style and beauty. The main one is Mulagandha Kuti Vihar. It was built in 1931 by the Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society in honor of the shrine where the Buddha is said to have sat and meditated in Sarnath. It's open daily from 4 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The walls are adorned with magnificent art. There's a park behind it where deer sometimes roam.

The Thai temple and monastery are renowned for its 80-foot-tall stone Buddha statue, claimed to be the largest in India.

The Chaukhandi Stupa is another major stupa that's in relatively good condition. It marks the spot where the Buddha met up with his five companions. The Archeological Survey of India has started maintaining the site.

Next to the Chaukhandi Stupa, the Garden of Spiritual Wisdom is a new attraction with sculptures and exhibits related to Buddhism. It has a section with Ayurvedic plants as well.

The eleventh Jain Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) Shreyanshnath was born in the area. An important 19th-century Jain temple is dedicated to him close to the Dhamekh Stupa complex.

Major Attractions in And Around Sarnath

Chaukhandi Stupa

This stupa was built in the 5th century to mark the place where Lord Buddha first met his disciples. Due to this, it holds great historical and architectural significance.

Ashoka Pillar

Ashoka Pillar, also our country’s national emblem, was crafted by the great Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. It stands at a height of 50 m along with Dhamek Stupa. On a visit, you can see several monks meditating in the compound.

Tibetan Temple

The Buddhist shrine is decorated with Thangkas (Tibetian Buddhist Paintings) and the temple features a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha as well. The prayer wheels can be seen outside the temple building. On moving them clockwise, paper scrolls with prayers written on them are released.

How To Reach Sarnath

Sarnath is a place for spiritual seekers in the city of Varanasi. In Sarnath, you will be finding the remnants of the lost legacy of the Bhagwan Buddha. Sarnath is located at a distance of 847, 1,838, 1,490, and 673 km from Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Here is how you can reach here by the following means of transportation.

By Air

• If you are planning a trip via flight then deboard at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS), Varanasi. From there Sarnath is located at an approximate distance of 20-25 km. To cover this distance, you will need to take a cab or some other means of transportation.

By Train

• Sarnath has its train junction and is well connected by Varanasi and Gorakhpur. You can take the connecting trains and deboard at the station of Sarnath. After deboarding the train, you will need to cover the remaining distance by some means of public transportation.

By Road

• You can also reach here by road. Sarnath is fairly well connected by road networks. To cover the distance, you can hire a cab or a bus. Otherwise, you can also travel in your car or any other vehicle of your choice.