Sarnath Temple, Sarnath (Near Varanasi), Uttar Pradesh, India

Sarnath Temple, Varanasi

Sarnath Temple is located 10 km north of Varanasi Town. It is a famous temple and renowned in all over the world. The temple is dedicated to Buddhism. Lord Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya (Bihar). After that he came to Sarnath and delivered his first sermon to the first five disciples. This place was a deep forest and had a deer par. Lord Buddha resided here for several years. Beig a Buddhist, Samrat Ashoka developed this place and constructed many monuments and legacies in 3rd century B.C.

Significance of Temple

As Lord Buddha gave the first discourse to his five disciples in Sarnath, this place became the most religious place for Buddhist. His discourse was how a man can attain Nirvana. NIRVANA means to attain Salvation (Moksha). According to him, a man can attain “Nirvana” by adopting the middle path i.e. to maintain an equal distance between the Luxury and austerities. Thus a monastic tradition started at Sarnath that spanned over 1500 years.

As we know, Samrat Ashoka was the great follower of Buddhism in 3rd Century B.C. , he constructed many monuments and edifices. After that in Mughal period, Kutubuddin Aebak, a Turkish ruller completely destroyed Sarnath.

In 1836, the excavation done at this place and remains of that Ashoka period have been taken out. In 1905, the then Govt of India started the restoration and rejuvenation (JIRNODHAR) of this place and tried to make it worth seeing. Observing the importance of this place, Govt of India constructed a musin which the remains of Sarnath are housed.

Places to Visit in Sarnath

1. Dhamek Stupa: The height of this stupa is 34 meters. This stupa is very gracefull and pleasant. At this place one can breathe the spirits of enlightenment and peace.eum in which the remains of Sarnath are housed.

 

2. Choukhandi Stupa: Mughal Emperor Akbar constructed this stupa in 1555 AD. It is believed that this is the place where Lord Buddha preached his first five disciples

3. Gumbad Vihar: It is constructed by a Srilankan citizen Dharmapal which housed a most beautiful golden statue of Lord Buddha. There are also so many fantastic frescoes related to the life of Lord Buddha. A famous Japanese artist Kosetsu Nosu made these paintings and frescoes.

4. Chinese Temple: This temple is constructed by Chinese Citizen which is very beautiful and worth seeing temple. Inside this temple, a statue of sitting Lord Buddha in GEHAN GYAN MUDRA posture.

5. Sarnath Archaeological Museum: It is constructed by the Govt of India which contains remains of excavation of Sarnath. Four headed lion statue of Ashoka Time is placed which is now the Indian National Emblem. You can see here the Bodhi Tree grown from the cut branch of the original Bodhi Tree where Buddha got enlightened.

6. Deer Park: A deer park which is now maintained as an open animal park which still has herds of deer.

The people or the tourists who come to Sarnath also like to visit Varanasi, the city of Hindu religion. There are so many temple and religious place worth seeing at Varanasi.

How to Reach Sarnath

By Air – Varanasi airport is located at 24km away from Sarnath and connects to the rest of the country.

By Railway – Varanasi cantonment Railway Station is connected to all over the country.

From Varanasi city one can reach Sarnath by taxi and Auto which are easily available in the town.

Where to Stay

Forest rest house, Mahabodhi Dharmashala, Jain Dharamshala, Tourist Bunglow, UPSTDC where you can get rooms to stay comfortably. You may also stay at Varansi where hotels of every budget are easily available. Taxi, Auto and other public conveyance are easily available in the town.
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