top 9 Places to visit in Sarnath 2022

Gifts for people who love places to visit in Sarnath

Introduction

Sarnath tourist destination is located about 10 km northeast of Kashi or Varanasi.

It is an important pilgrimage center of Buddhism and its importance in Hinduism and Jainism.

Here, Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon, known as the change of the circle of religion

For this reason, the popularity of the sightseeing places of Sarnath is spread in the country and abroad.

It is one of the four principal holy shrines of Buddhism. The three are as follows- Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, and Kushinagar

It is called “Singhpur” in Jain Granth.

It is believed that Shreyansnath, the 11th Tirthankar of Jainism, was born here.

Here is the temple of Sarangnath Mahadev, where a fair of Hindus is held in the month of Sawan.

Sarnath is famous for the stupa where Lord Buddha gave the first lesson of Dharma and it is also famous for its museum and deer park.

Sarnath tourist destination is popular in India as well as abroad.

If you talk about eating places in Sarnath, then you will find small cafes and you will find good restaurants and hotels a short distance from there.

The best time to visit Sarnath is from November to March as it is very hot here.

 Ancient names

Its ancient name was Rishipatan (Mrigdava).

It was named Mrigadav on the basis of the place where the antelopes roam.

Whose description has come in Nigrodhamrig Jataka.

The modern name of Sarnath originated from “Sarangnath” (Nath of the deer) i.e. Gautam Buddha.

which is related to a story of a bodhisattva.

Bodhisattva in one of his previous births when he was the king of deer in MrigadavaThen she saved the life of a pregnant deer by sacrificing her life.

That is why the name of this forest was called Sar-Nath.

History of Sarnath

The proudest time in the history of Sarnath was the Gupta period.

At that time it was the largest center of art in North India apart from Mathura.

During the reign of Harsha, Hwanshawang came to India, he described Sarnath as very happy.

Mahmud Ghaznavi in ​​1017, during the Varanasi invasion, Sarnath was severely damaged.

Again in 1026 AD, during the reign of Emperor Mahipal, two brothers named Sthirapal and Basantpal, with the inspiration of the emperor, saved the temples of Kashi along with the salvation of Dharmarajika Stupa and Dharmachakra.

During the reign of Gahadwal Ves, Kumari Devi, the queen of Govindrachandra, built a vihara at Sarnath.

It is confirmed in an inscription from the excavation.

9 important places to visit in Sarnath

1. Chaukhandi Stupa Sarnath 

 This stupa is located 1 km south of Dhamek stupa.

At this place, Gautam Buddha first preached to his five disciples.

This stupa was built as a commemoration of this major event.

Chaukhandi Stupa is said to be one of the most divine and important monuments of Buddhist culture.

An inscription is mentioned in Persian on the stone lying on its northern door, from which it is known that Govardhan, the son of Todarmal, built it in 1589 AD (996 Hijri).

On the basis of the materials obtained from the excavation, it becomes certain that this stupa was built during the Gupta period.

2. Dhamekh Stupa ( Dharmrajika stupa )

This stupa is like a solid circular tower.

Its diameter is 28.55 meters, its height is 39.01 meters and its circumference is up to 11.20 meters.

There are pictures of humans and birds on this stupa And there is no door and no window in this stupa

It was built by Emperor Ashoka, but after his construction, many changes were made to this stupa.

3. Mulgandh Kuti Bihar Sarnath

It is towards the north of Dharmarajika Stupa.

Huen Tsang, a Chinese traveler who visited India in the seventh century, has described it as 200 feet high Moolgandha Kuti Vihar.

 The carved shells and concave moldings, small pillars and beautiful artistic cuts, etc. made on this temple make it certain that it was built during the Gupta period.

In the middle of this temple, a gold gleaming statue of Lord Buddha is initially set under the pavilion.

This is the same temple where Gautam Buddha saw his first rainy season.

This temple is very popular among the world’s tourists.

4. Archeological museum Sarnath

Sarnath Archaeological Museum was established in 1904 AD.

This building was completed in 1910 to keep, display, and study the objects received by the Department of Archeology.

This museum is not very big but very special things have been kept here.

you can see the collection of the best artworks of Mercury from the 3rd century to the 12th century.

If you happen to visit Sarnath, then definitely see the ancient artworks kept in this museum.

Opening time – 9 am to 5 pm

5. Ashok pillar Sarnath

The National Emblem of India “Ashok Stambha” is a symbol of Emperor Ashoka’s visit to Sarnath.

Ashoka Stambh made of stone is a very impressive structure with four lions sitting on its top.

Its height was 17.55 meters in the beginning but its height in the current time is 2.03 meters.

The upper end of the pillar is now in the Sarnath Museum.

Three articles are mentioned on this Stambh.

On the premises of Ashoka Pillar, you can see many Monks meditating.

Its lush green peace complex attracts tourists to our side.

6. Thai temple Sarnath

Due to it being a major Buddhist pilgrimage site, it is visited by devotees from all over the world.

Especially come from Buddhist countries like Japan, Thailand, and China.

This temple was built by the people of the Thai community.

The special thing about this temple is that the Thai architectural style has been used in it.

This temple is built in the midst of beautiful gardens.

Its calm and pure environment is the center of attraction for the tourists visiting.

7. Tibetan temple Sarnath

A large number of pilgrims and Buddhist scholars from Tibet, Japan, China, and Thailand visit this temple.

This temple is decorated with Thangsa which is a Tibetan Buddhist painting.

There is an idol of Sakyamuni Buddha in this temple.

Here outside the temple building, you can see prayer wheels which are rotated clockwise.

8. Dear park Sarnath

Deer Park has a special significance among those who believe in Buddhism.

This is the place where Gautam Buddha gave his first sermon And this is where the original union was founded.

According to the famous Chinese monk and world traveler Hiuen Tsang, “Deer Park was developed by the Jataka king of Banaras”.

Sarnath Deer Park people come to have fun with their families and kids.

In Sarnath Deer Park, you can see deer, reindeer, alligators, crocodiles besides dozens of species of birds.

Every day domestic and foreign tourists come to Deer Park to see these special animals.

9. Buddha Purnima

According to the Hindu calendar, Gautam Buddha was born on the full moon day of Vaishakh month.

It was on this day that he attained enlightenment.

This day is celebrated as Buddha Jayanti.

Buddha Jayanti is celebrated by the followers of both Hinduism and Buddhism.

More than 50 crore people in the world celebrate this day with great pomp.

On this day lamps are lit in Buddhist houses and houses are decorated with flowers.

Doing good deeds on this day gives virtue.

People also ask

1. Why is Sarnath a famous tourist spot?

Sarnath is a small village in Uttar Pradesh, situated about 10 km northeast of the holy city of Varanasi. Formerly known as Isipatana, it is famous as the site where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, or where Buddha preached his first sermon. It is also the place where the original Sangha was formed.

2. What is inside Sarnath?

Since it’s a temple, inside you will find a golden statue of Lord Buddha sitting on a marble platform. Situated just behind this Buddha temple is Deer Park, the place of Buddha’s first ever sermon. The highlight of this place, apart from the temple and the surrounding ruins, is the Bodhi Tree.

3. Is Sarnath closed on Sunday?  

Sarnath Museum remains open all days except Friday from 9 in the morning to 5 in the evening.

4. What do people do at Sarnath?

Visiting Sarnath is a good action for pilgrims, and they can focus on the teachings delivered by the Buddha when he first started teaching the ascetics. Buddhists will go to the site to chant, meditate and worship and also walk around the stupa as a sign of respect to the Buddha.

5. What is the old name of Sarnath? 

Sarnath has been variously known as Mrigadava, Migadāya, Rishipattana, and Isipatana throughout its long history. Mrigadava means “deer park”. “Isipatana” is the name used in the Pali Canon and means the place where holy men (Pali: ISI, Sanskrit: rishi) landed.

6. What made Sarnath unique?   

The presence of votive stupas or miniature stupas made to thank the divine power after fulfillment of a wish also makes Sarnath unique. There are more than 300 votive stupas in Sarnath.