Located: In the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
Attractions : Stupas, Museums
Nearer Tourist Destinations : Jaunpur, Chunar, Varanasi, Kushinagar, Allahabad.
Best time to visit : October to March
About Sarnath
Sarnath is the located at a distance of 8 km from Varanasi in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
There are four sacred Buddhist pilgrimage centers in the Indian subcontinent. The first of these is the birthplace of Buddha at Lumbinivana, east of Kapilavastu. The second most sacred place of pilgrimage is Buddha Gaya where he attained enlightenment. The third most sacred pilgrimage center for Buddhists is Sarnath or Isipatan where Buddha delivered his first sermon, and the fourth is Kushinara or Kashia in Uttar Pradesh, where he finally gave up his mortal self.
Attractions in Sarnath
Choukhandi Stupa
One of the important stupas of Sarnath in Varanasi, the Choukhandi Stupa is believed to be the spot, where Buddha was reunited with his five disciples.
Its built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in AD 1555, the Stupa, standing on a terraced rectangular plinth, is crowned by an octagonal Mughal tower. The tower was built by Akbar to remember his father's visit to the place.
Archaeological Museum
This is the oldest site museum of the Archaeological Survey of India. In order to preserve the antiquities found from this site, a decision was taken in 1904 by the Government to construct a site museum adjacent to the excavated site at Sarnath. Sarnath has yielded a rich collection of sculptures, artifacts and edifices comprising numerous Buddha and Bodhisattva images and other ancient remains. The main attraction of the Sarnath Archaeological Museum is the superb Ashokan Pillar.
Mulgandha Kuti Vihara
Mulgandha Kuti Vihara is the place also has few Chinese and Jain temples.
It was built in 1930, the Tibetan Buddhist shrine, Mulgandha Kuti Vihara, treasures sacred antiques from various places and a lifesize golden statue of the Buddha. It is adorned with fantastic frescoes by Japanese artist, Kosetsu Nosu.
How to reach
By Air : Varanasi (Babatpur) Airport is the nearest airport. Commercial flights connect Varanasi to Kathmandu, Delhi, Agra and Mumbai.
By Rail : Varanasi railway station is well connected to important cities.
By Road : It is located on the National Highway No. 29 that also connects Varanasi and Gorakhpur. |
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