Sarnath
Buddhist Pilgrimage
10
km from Varanasi s the site where Lord Buddha preached his first
sermon " Maha Dharma Chakra Pravartan " after his enlightenment.
Sarnath is one of the richest Buddhist antiquities ranging in
date from the times of Ashoka down to the 12th century A.D. Ashoka
bult here the Dharmarajika Stupa & near it eracted a pillar
surrounded by the magnificant capital of four adorsed lions, which
today forms the national emblem of India.
Among other structures at Sarnath are the ruins of the brick temple
representingthe Mula-gandha kuti, ruins of stupas & monasteries.
Among the more imposin ones is the Dhamekh Stupa, adorned with
delicate floral carvings in the lower part, the Chaukhandi Stupa
& Mahabodhi Society's Mulgandha Kuti Vihar temple. Sarnath
has also yielded an extremely rich collection of Buddhist sculptures
comprising of numerous Buddha & Bodhisatva images which can
be seen at Archaeological Museum Sarnath.
How to Reach There
Sarnath is 10 km from Varanasi, & is well connected by rail
/ air / road with rest of India
By Air
Indian Airlines connects Varanasi to Kathmandu, Delhi, Khajuraho,
Agra & Bombay.
By Rail
Varanasi is major rail junction & has direct rail links with
Delhi, Bombay, Madras, Calcatta, Gwalior, Guwahati etc.
By Road
Varanasi is well connected by road with major cities of India.
