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Sarnath

Sārnāth / सारनाथ

Also known as: Deer Park, Isipatana, Rishipattana, Mrigadava

Sarnath, India|View on Map (25.3811, 83.0218)

Religions: Buddhism | Place Type: Pilgrimage site | Region: Asia

Overview

Sarnath is the place where in the 5th century Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, an event known as the "Turning of the Wheel of Dharma" (Dhammacakkappavattana). The site is located 10 kilometers northeast of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. It contains the Dhamek Stupa, ancient monastery ruins, and the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka, which became India's national emblem.

Present

Sarnath is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India and attracts Buddhist pilgrims and tourists from around the world. The Mulagandha Kuti Vihara temple, built by the Maha Bodhi Society in 1931, is an active place of worship containing a Buddha statue and frescoes depicting scenes from Buddha's life. The temple also houses relics of the Buddha.

The Dharma Chakra Jina Vihar is a modern monastery and educational center. The Chaukhandi Stupa, located 800 meters from the main complex, commemorates where Buddha reunited with his first five disciples.

The site remains an active center of Buddhist learning and practice, with temples built by various Buddhist nations including Myanmar, Thailand, Tibet, China, Japan, and Sri Lanka, each reflecting their architectural traditions.

Religious Significance

Buddhism

Sarnath is one of the four most sacred sites in Buddhism, marking the place where the Buddha delivered his first teaching after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. In Sarnath, he met five former companions who had previously rejected him after he abandoned extreme ascetic practices. they were moved by his transformed presence and became his first disciples.

In this first sermon, Buddha introduced the fundamental teachings of Buddhism: the Middle Way (the path between self-indulgence and self-mortification), the Four Noble Truths (the truth of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path to end suffering), and the Noble Eightfold Path (right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration). This teaching established the core philosophy that would spread across Asia and the world.

The site is called the Deer Park because, according to legend, a bodhisattva (Buddha in a previous life) appeared as a deer king who offered his own life to save a pregnant doe, impressing the local king who declared the area a sanctuary for deer. Sarnath was also the birthplace of Kassapa Buddha, a predecessor to Gautama Buddha.

History & Structure

Ancient Period: Buddha's first sermon around 528 BCE established Sarnath as a major Buddhist center. The site flourished as a place of learning and pilgrimage for over 1,500 years.

Emperor Ashoka: In 249 BCE, Emperor Ashoka visited Sarnath and erected a commemorative pillar topped with a carved stone sculpture of four Asiatic lions. This sculpture was later adopted as India’s national emblem.

Dhamek Stupa: The massive cylindrical stupa, standing 31.3 meters (128 feet) high and 28.3 meters in diameter at its base, marks the spot where Buddha gave his first sermon. Originally built by Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, it was enlarged to its current size around the 5th century CE.

Monastic Complex: Extensive ruins of ancient monasteries and temples dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE showing Sarnath's importance as a learning center.

Destruction and Rediscovery: The site was destroyed during Turkish invasions around 1194 CE. British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham identified and excavated Sarnath in 1835-1836, conclusively establishing it as the location of Buddha's first sermon.

Practical Information

Admission: Archaeological site: ₹25 for Indian citizens, ₹300 for foreign nationals. Museum: ₹5 for Indian citizens, ₹200 for foreign nationals. Free for children under 15.
Best Time to Visit: October to March for pleasant weather. Avoid peak summer (April-June). Buddha Purnima (full moon in April-May) sees large celebrations.
Dress Code: Modest clothing recommended. Remove shoes when entering temples.
Getting There: Most visitors stay in Varanasi and take a short trip to Sarnath. Varanasi has an international airport and railway station. Local transport readily available.
Hours: Archaeological site open sunrise to sunset (approximately 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM). Museum: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed Fridays.
Key Sites: Dhamek Stupa, Archaeological Museum (Lion Capital, Buddha statues), Mulagandha Kuti Vihara temple, Chaukhandi Stupa, ancient monastery ruins.
Location: Sarnath is 10 km northeast of Varanasi, easily accessible by auto-rickshaw, taxi, or bus from the city.
Meditation: Several temples and monasteries welcome visitors for meditation.
Photography: Allowed at archaeological site. Museum has restrictions on photography.