Sarnath
The holy place of Sarnath is considered as a landmark in the history of Buddhism, as the site was the first one to listen to the first sermon of Lord Buddha in 528 BCE. The Buddha's teachings at Sarnath further led to the establishment of the Buddhist sangha. Sarnath today is a major Buddhist pilgrimage and attracts the people of other faiths also with its archaeological museum, temples and monasteries.
Other Attractions
- Choukhandi Stupa : The Choukhandi Stupa is the holy spot
where the Buddha is believed to have met His first five disciples whom
He delivered His first sermon.
- Ashoka Pillar : The Ashoka pillar not only commemorates the
visit of emperor Ashoka to Sarnath, but also is the proud owner of the
National emblem of India, the lion capital.
- Sarnath
Museum : The archaeological museum of Sarnath, which pampers
the lion capital, Buddhist Sarnath artifacts, manuscripts, and statues,
is a major tourist destination of Sarnath.
- Shreyanshnath Temple : A Jain temple, dating back to the 19th century CE, is a sacred place for the Jains.
Accessibility
Dhamekha stupa, which
is situated in Sarnath, is easily accessible. The nearest airport to reach
the destination is at Babatpur in Varanasi, which is just 20 minutes away
from Sarnath. From Babatpur, you can hire either a taxi or auto - rickshaw
or can ride a bus to reach Sarnath. If you want to go to the place by train,
the nearest railway station is at Varanasi, 10 kilometers away, a small
distance that can be covered by road. Roadways is another major way to reach
Sarnath, as it is well connected to Varanasi(10 km) and Gorakhpur by
National Highway number 29. The Best Months to Visit
October to
February.
