Sarnath: Buddhist Site In Varanasi | Ultimate Travel Guide | How To Reach

Sarnath is a place located 10 kilometers northeast of Varanasi, near the confluence of the Ganga and the Varuna rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is one of the four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by the Buddha himself for pilgrimage. Sarnath is where, circa 528 BCE, at 35 years of age, Gautama Buddha taught his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. According to the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, the Buddha mentioned Sarnath as one of the four places of pilgrimage his devout followers should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence. The site contains a number of stupas, monasteries, and temples. The most famous of these is the Dhamek Stupa, which is 43.6 meters high and 28 meters in diameter. The stupa is said to mark the spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon. The site also contains the ruins of the Mulagandhakuti Vihara, a temple built by the emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. The temple is said to be the place where the Buddha spent his first rainy season. The Sarnath Museum, established in 1904, houses a collection of sculptures and artifacts from the Mauryan, Kushan, and Gupta periods.

Best Places to Visit In Sarnath:

1.  The Majestic Bodhi Tree:

The Bodhi Tree is a sacred fig tree located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, under which the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. However, there is also a Bodhi Tree in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India, which is an offshoot of the tree at Bodh Gaya. The tree was planted in 1931 by Anagarika Dharmapala, founder of the Maha Bodhi Society of India, who brought a shoot of the ‘Bodhi tree’ from Sri Lanka and planted it in Sarnath, where Buddha had given his first sermon after attaining enlightenment to his first five disciples. The tree is located adjacent to the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar temple in Sarnath.

.Timings: open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day.

2.  Chaukhandi Stupa:

The Chaukhandi Stupa is a Buddhist stupa located in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India . It is situated 8 kilometers from Cantt Railway Station in Varanasi . The stupa was built during the Gupta era (4th to 6th century) and is said to have been a terraced temple . The site was declared to be a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India in June 2019 . The stupa is a high earthen mound covered with a brickwork edifice topped by an octagonal tower . The tower was built by Govardhan, the son of Raja Todar Mal, to commemorate the visit of Humayun, the Mughal ruler . The Chaukhandi Stupa is one of the important Buddhist stupas at Sarnath . It is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India . The site also contains other stupas, monasteries, and temples . The Sarnath Museum, established in 1904, houses a collection of sculptures and artifacts from the Mauryan, Kushan, and Gupta periods .

Timings: open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on Fridays.

3. Seek Enlightenment At Dhamek Stupa:

The Dhamek Stupa is a massive structure located in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India .The stupa is built of bricks and stone and is the most massive structure in Sarnath . It is said to mark the precise location where the Buddha preached his first discourse to his first five disciples, and where all five eventually became fully liberated . The stupa is also believed to be the spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon . The name “Dhamek” derives from the Sanskrit word “dharmeksā,” which means “pondering of the law” in the Sanskrit language . The stupa is located 180 meters to the east of Dharmarajika Stupa at the archaeological site of Sarnath . The site contains a number of stupas, monasteries, and temples . The Sarnath Museum, established in 1904, houses a collection of sculptures and artifacts from the Mauryan, Kushan, and Gupta periods .

Timings: open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on Fridays .

4.  The Place Where The Buddha Rests In Peace:

The place where Lord Buddha is traditionally believed to have attained Parinirvana (final Nirvana) is Kushinagar, not Sarnath. Kushinagar is an important pilgrimage site located in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is here that the Buddha is said to have passed away and attained complete liberation from the cycle of birth and death.  The remains were divided into 10 parts and buried at different spots atop which monuments were built by the Mughal . The stupa is said to mark the spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon . The site also contains the ruins of the Mulagandhakuti Vihara, a temple built by the emperor Ashoka in 3rd century BCE . The temple is said to be the place where the Buddha spent his first rainy season.

5.  Buddha Purnima Celebrations:

Buddha Purnima is celebrated to mark the birth, enlightenment, and salvation of Gautama Buddha. Celebrations are held every year at most Buddhist sites, and pilgrims from around the world throng to Sarnath . Since it falls on a full moon night, the festival is called Buddha Purnima in India . Day-long prayers along with free medical camps for the poor are held during this day . In the evening, lamps are lit at the Bodhi Tree, and other significant places .

The annual Buddha Purnima Mahotsav is held at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh . Sarnath is not an urban center but has a railway station of its own by the same name. It is connected with other major cities of the country, although not all trains stop here owing to the fact that it is a very small railway station. It is located approximately at a distance of eight hundred kilometers from Delhi. The other nearest railway station is Varanasi Cantt.,

6.  The Archaeological Museum:

The Sarnath Museum is the oldest site museum of the Archaeological Survey of India . It houses the findings and excavations at the archaeological site of Sarnath, by the Archaeological Survey of India . The museum has 6,832 sculptures and artefacts. The museum is famous for its collection of sculptures and artifacts from the Mauryan, Kushan, and Gupta periods . . The museum is located adjacent to the excavated site at Sarnath . The building was completed in 1910 to house, display and study the antiquities . The site contains a number of stupas, monasteries, and temples. The stupa is said to mark the spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon . The temple is said to be the place where the Buddha spent his first rainy season. The Chaukhandi Stupa is another important Buddhist stupa at Sarnath . It is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India . The site also contains other stupas, monasteries, and temples .

Timings: open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on Fridays

7. The Buddhist Temple:

8. The Thai Temple And Monastery:

The Thai Temple also known as the Hinayana Buddha temple, is a magnificent temple located in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India . It was built by Thai dignitaries in 1993 and is one of the most recent additions to the popular Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Sarnath . The temple complex is adorned with manicured gardens and is reckoned to be one of the most beautiful places to visit in Sarnath . The temple complex also includes an old tree which is muffled up with a striking shawl of gold leaf . An important highlight of the Thai Temple in Sarnath is the 80-foot tall image of Buddha in a standing position . Besides this imposing statue, the temple also houses three other effigies of Lord Buddha in various postures that are placed beneath a tree . Just before the entrance of the main temple, there are images of laughing Buddha along with an enactment of Lord Buddha preaching his apostles. The temple complex also has fountains with gorgeous lotus flowers that add an alluring touch to the entire complex .

9. The Garden Of Spiritual Wisdom:

The Garden of Spiritual Wisdom is a theme-based garden located on Rishpattan Road in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India . It is situated just behind the Chaukhandi Stupa and is one of the prominent tourist places to visit in Sarnath . The garden is beautifully embellished with well-manicured gardens and a peaceful ambiance . It boasts a fine collection of sculptures and exhibits that depict Buddhism . The exhibits convey the essence of Indian spirituality in an easy to understand language by illustrating graphics . The garden also has a separate section that houses Ayurvedic herbal plants brought from different corners of the country to impart knowledge about Ayurveda to visitors . Benches are installed in the garden where one can sit and adore the surreal surroundings . The Garden of Spiritual Wisdom also hosts a sculpture gallery that allows tourists to gain some knowledge about Lord Buddha.

10. Mulagandha Kuti Vihar:

Mulagandha Kuti Vihar is a modern Buddhist monastery situated in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built in the year 1931 by the founder of Mahabodhi society – Anagarika Dharmapala, and is one of the major Buddhist sites in Sarnath . The monastery is known for its striking frescoes and murals, which depict the story of the life of Lord Buddha from the period of birth to his death . The interior of this renowned tourist site in Sarnath is adorned with intricate frescoes created by Kosetsu Nosu, a Japanese artist . The place also includes a huge bronze bell right at the entrance of the monastery that was gifted by a royal family of Japan . The spires on the top of the structure are another key feature of the monastery .

11. Japanese Temple:

Japanese Temple is a uniquely built Buddhist pilgrimage site in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located near the main market and is under the administration of Dharmachakra Indo-Japan Buddhist Cultural Society. The temple is often referred to as Nichigai Suzan Horinji Temple and has a huge following amongst Buddhists . The architecture of the temple is in a typical Japanese style which includes a double storey pagoda with a sloping roof curving up at the eaves that gives it a very calm feel . The striking structure of the temple resembles the internationally renowned Japanese temples in Kyoto, Japan. Whereas, on the left side, Japanese inscription can be seen written on a pillar.  The ambiance of the Japanese Temple is so surreal that one could spend hours just adoring the beauty and tranquillity of this must-visit tourist attraction in Sarnath .

Timings: Open From 4:30 AM to 11:30 AM And  1:30 PM to 5:30 PM

12. Digambar Jain Temple:

Digambar Jain Temple is a Jain temple located in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built in 1824 CE to commemorate the birthplace of Shreyansanatha, the 11th tirthankara . The temple houses a large image of Shreyansanatha and has attractive frescoes depicting the life of Bhagwan Mahavir, founder of the Jain religion . The ruins near the main temple are believed to be of an ancient Jain temple erected by Śvētāmbara. The temple remains open all days a week from sunrise to sunset . The entry fee to Digambar Jain Temple varies for both Indian and foreign tourists.

13. Sarnath International Nyingma Institute:

Sarnath International Nyingma Institute is a Buddhist monastery and retreat center located in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is home to more than 50 monks from various countries such as Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and others . The institute is dedicated to creating and promoting dynamic bridges of goodness that are based on timeless Buddhist principles and teachings for the benefit of humanity . The institute supports four main pillars for growth: Roots, Study, Transmission, and Collaboration . The institute offers various programs such as Buddhist practices, prayers, and retreats, public ceremonies, language programs, Dharma talks, arts and sciences workshops, and interdisciplinary seminars . The institute also provides a platform for research and publications .

14. Deer Park:

Deer Park is a popular tourist attraction located in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon or proclaimed Dharma and the original Sangha was created . The park is home to a large number of deer and is a great place to relax and unwind . The park also has a fish canal and a turtle breeding and rehabilitation center .

These were the places to visit in Sarnath. Hope you enjoyed it. Have a safe journey!

How To Reach Sarnath

1. By Air:
   • The nearest airport to Sarnath is Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) in Varanasi, which is approximately 25 kilometers away.
   • From the airport, you can hire a taxi or use other local transportation to reach Sarnath.
2. By Train:
   • Varanasi Junction (BSB) is the major railway station near Sarnath, located about 10 kilometers away.
   • Regular trains connect Varanasi to major cities in India. From Varanasi Junction, you can take a taxi, auto-rickshaw, or other local transportation to reach Sarnath.
3. By Road:
   • Sarnath is well-connected by road, and there are regular bus services from Varanasi and other nearby cities.
   • Varanasi is well-connected by road to major cities in Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states. You can also hire a taxi or use private transportation services.

Varanasi To Sarnath Train Distance

The distance between Varanasi and Sarnath is approximately 7 km . You can travel between the two places by train or taxi. The train journey takes around 10 minutes and costs between ₹80 and ₹550 . Alternatively, you can take a taxi, which takes around 8 minutes and costs between ₹210 and ₹260 . If you prefer walking, it would take around 1 hour and 36 minutes to cover the distance.

Lucknow To Sarnath Distance

Sarnath Weather & Tempereture

Sarnath experiences distinct seasons. Summer (March to June) is hot, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 45°C. Monsoon (July to September) brings heavy rainfall, with temperatures between 25°C and 35°C. Early autumn (October to November) offers pleasant weather (20°C to 30°C), and winters (December to February) are cool, with temperatures from 5°C to 20°C. The post-monsoon and early winter months are often considered more comfortable for travel.

Nearby Places Of Sarnath:

1. Varanasi

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