EXCURSIONS

* SARNATH

* RAMNAGAR

* VINDHYACHAL

* CHUNAR FORT

* KAUSHAMBI

* CHANDRAPRABHA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

* KAIMOOR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

* JAUNPUR

* OTHER TOURIST PLACES

10 km. from Varanasi is the site where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon "Maha- Dharma-Chakra Pravartan" (in Buddhist terminology, ‘turned the wheel of the law’) after his enlightenment. Sarnath is one of the richest in Buddhist antiquities ranging in date from the times of Ashoka downto the 12^th century A.D Ashoka built here the Dharmarajika Stupa and near it erected a pillar surmounted by the magnificent 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 representing the Mula- Gandha Kuti, ruins of stupas and monasteries. Among the more imposing ones is the Dhamekh Stupa, adorned with delicate floral carvings in the lower part, the Chaukhandi Stupa and Mahabodhi Society’s Mulgandha Kuti Vihar Temple. Sarnath has also yielded an extremely rich collection of Buddhist sculptures comprising of numerous Buddha and Bodhisatva images which can be seen at Archaeological Museum, Sarnath.

14 km. from Varanasi .The fort at Ramnagar houses a museum displaying the Royal collection which includes vintage Cars, Royal Palkies, an armoury of swords and old guns, ivory work and antique clocks. The Ved Vyas , Durga Temple and Chhinnamastika Temple are also Located at Ramnagar.

80 km. One of the Shakitipeeths, Vindhyavasini Devi Temple, Ashtabhuja and Kalikhoh are the major attraction .

The Chunar fort is situated 40 km. from Varanasi. Saint Bhartrihari took live Samadhi inside the fort. The historical fort at Chunar is ascribed to one of the greatest warrior – rulers, Sher Shah Suri. Sonwa Mandap, Sun clock and a huge well are some of the attractions inside the fort. The fort offers a splendid view of the river Ganga. There is a PWD Rest House for overnight stay.

185 km. from Varanasi. This ancient city is ascribed to the Pandav brother of Mahabharat. The ruin of an old gigantic fort are testimony to the city’s antiquity. Lord Buddha visited Kaushambi in the 6^th and 9^th year after his enlightenment, giving several sermons and discourses and elevating it to a great centre of Buddhism.

70 km, Varanasi are the forests of Chandrapha. These forests nestle within them the Rajdari and Devdari waterfalls. A beautiful secluded place for a relaxed outing or a picnic.

130 km. from Varanasi. Spread over an area of 500 sq. km., the Sanctuary has a veriety of wildlife. The Mukha waterfall is a tourist attraction.

Jaunpur has the pride of being the capital of the independent Sharqi State, the rulers of which were great patrons of art and architecture. The city still boasts of its rich cultural past. Important monuments worth visiting are the Atala mosque built in 1408, Jama Masjid, the Lal Darwaza Masjid, Khalis Mukhlis Ki Masjid, the Shahi Bridge and the tombs of Sharqui Sultans. The ancient temple of Shitla Chowkiya Dham, Trilochan Mahadev temple and the Yamadagni Ashram are also much revered places for Hindu pilgrims.

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