Sarnath

Introduction
A Buddhist pilgrimage is never complete without a trip to Sarnath. Lord Buddha, after being enlightened at Bodhgaya, travelled to Sarnath to preach his message. It is Sarnath where he delivered his first sermon to his disciples and adherents. The site is considered to be one of the most significant Buddhist sites as it is the place from where the Buddhist teaching began its journey. There are four most important Buddhist sites in the country. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha is ranks the first while Bodhgaya, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, happens to be the second most sacred Buddhist site. Sarnath is the third name on the list, having distinction as the site where Buddha made his first discourse in 528 BC. And the fourth site is Kushinara in the state of Uttar Pardesh. Kushinara or Kashia is the site where Lord Budhha left for his final abode.

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Location & Climate
The town of Sarnath lies 12 km north of Varanasi or Benaras in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The town, which is an accumulation of stupas, pillars and monasteries, is established against the tranquil backdrop of the Deer Park. Sarnath lies close to the Tropic of Cancer. Summers are hot while winters are pleasant. During summers, temperature may shoot up to a maximum of 45 degrees Centigrade. The ideal time to visit the time is between October and February.


Sightseeing
The town of Sarnath offers a great deal in terms of Buddhist sites. Followers and adherents of Buddhism from across the globe flock to the town to quench their thirst for Buddhism and Buddhist teachings. The popular attractions at Sarnath are as follows.

» Ashoka Pillar : The Ashoka Pillar of Sarnath is one of the most famous Buddhist sites in the whole world. The huge pillar was founded by Maurya emperor Ashoka during the 3rd century BC. A four-lion symbol surmounts the pillar. It stands as a prominent symbol of Buddhism. This particular symbol is today the national emblem of the Republic of India.

» Mulagandha Kuti Vihar : A recent addition, the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar was built in 1931 by the Mahabodhi Society. A huge Japanese bell decorates the entranceway of the vihara while the walls and ceilings have been embellished with exquisite carvings, paintings and murals done by a Japanese artist Kosetsu Nosu. A life-size image of Lord Buddha is kept in the temple.

» Choukhandi Stupa : The Choukhandi Stupa stands on a rectangular pedestal and is capped by an octagonal tower built bu Mughal emperor Akbar to commemorate his father's visit here. The ruins of the stupa date back to the Gupta period. It is the site where Lord Buddha came across with his five disciples who had deserted him earlier.

» Dhamarajika Stupa : Dhamarajika Stupa is yet another worth seeing site at Sarnath. This stupa too belongs to the Gupta period and was built by the emperor Ashoka himself. However, the stupa lies in a state of desertion today and only its ruins can be seen.


Accommodation Options
Varanasi, lying close to Sarnath, is the perfect option for staying. The city has numerous luxury and budget class hotels catering to different classes of tourists. Popular hotels of Varanasi are as follows.

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Accessibility
Babatpur Airport of Varanasi (12 km) is the nearest airport from Sarnath. The airport has flight to/ from places like Kathmandu, Delhi, Agra and Mumbai. Varanasi is the closest railhead from Sarnath. It is connected to the key destinations of the country. Road route too is well established. The city of Varanasi lies on National Highway 29.

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