» Sarnath Tours

Situated 10 km from Varanasi is the site where Buddha delivered his first sermon to his five disciples, preaching the middle path for attaining 'Nirvana'. The presence of the Great Teacher permeates the quiet ruins of Sarnath. The still air carries the fragrance of incense and flowers and the chants of the monks. Deer wander among the ruins and spiders weave huge spreading webs in the grass that shimmers at dawn, spangled with dew.

After Sakyamuni gained Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree on the banks of the Nairanjana river, he walked for over 250 kms from Bodh Gaya, crossed the Ganga crossed the Ganga by ferry to reach the ghats of Kashi. He was searching for the five companions who had abandoned him at Rajgir. The five ascetics deserted him when Gautama forsook the path of self-mortification because they felt that spiritual salvation was not possible through any other means.

The Buddha found the five ascetics at a deer park in the outskirts of the city. The park was called Rishipattana or Issipattana after the rishis of sages who come to meditate under its shady trees. Its other name was Mrigadaya or deer sanctuary, because a king of Varanasi had gifted the land as a safe haven for deer. The modern name of Sarnath is derived from the name of the Bodhisattva, Saranganatha.

The blessed one met his old companions who were the first to hear him unfold his path to Enlightenment path and the Middle Way. This first sermon is called Dharmachakrapravartana, or Turning of the wheel of Law.

» Major Attractions of Sarnath

Dhamekh Stupa : The most impressive sight in Sarnath is the looming pile of the Dhamekh Stupa, possibly built around 500AD. It was built at the site of many earlier constructions as excavations reveal brickwork from much earlier periods. Dhamekh Stupa is a solid cylindrical tower, 33 metres in height. The borders have delicately carved geometrical and floral patterns and the figures of humans and birds. The base of the Stupa is made of stone with the upper areas of brickwork which probably once had a carve stone fencing.

Mulgandhakuti Vihara : Mulgandhakuti Vihara marks the site where the Buddha meditated during his monsoon retreats at Sarnath. Excavations have unearthed a statue of a Bodhisattva from the 1st century AD, and a tablet on which the name of the shrine was carved.

In 1922, Anagarika Dharmapala laid the foundation of a temple named Mulgandhakuti Vihara at the site. It enshrines relics of the Buddha which were discovered at Taxila. The interior has frescoes painted by a Japanese artist in 1932-35. Outside is the Bodhi tree and its spreading branches symbolise the return of Buddhism to India.

Archaeological Museum : The Sarnath Museum is a treasure trove of Buddhist sculptures, inscriptions and pottery. Some of the finest images of the Buddha and panels depicting important episodes from the life of Sakyamuni can from the Gupta period, carved in the fine-grained Chunar sandstone. In Sarnath Museum one can see the magnificent Lion Capital, which once crowned the Ashoka pillar at Sarnath and which today is the official symbol of the Indian State.

» Festivals of Sanchi

Buddha Poornima, the full moon night in April-May, when the birth of the Buddha is celebrated, is the biggest festival at Sarnath. There are prayers, processions and pageantry, with pilgrims coming from all over the world. A big fair also springs up on the occasion. During the first full moon in November an assembly of monks and scholars celebrate the anniversary of the foundation of the Mulgandhakuti Vihara.

» How to Get there

Air : Varanasi Airport is the nearest airport. Commercial flights connect Varanasi to Kathmandu, Delhi, Agra and Mumbai.

Rail : Varanasi railway station is well connected to important cities.

Road : It is located on the National Highway No. 29 that also connects Varanasi and Gorakhpur.