GENERAL INFORMATION
Buddhists wordwide look upon India as the
land of the Buddha and a visit to this country means a
pilgrimage to those places sacred to the memory of the Enlightened One. After the Bouddha
attanined enlightenment in Bodh Gaya he came to sarnath. Here in the Deer Park, he
delivered his first sermon, or in religious language, set in motion the wheel of Law
(maha- Dharmachakra Pravartan). On the day before his death Buddha included Sarnath along
with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar as the four places he thought to be sacred to his
followers.
The Emperor Ashoka, who spread the Buddha’s
message of love and compassion throughout his vast empire, visited Sarnath around
234BC,and erected a stupa here. Several Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath between
the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD, and today it presents
the most expansive ruins amongst places on the Buddhist trail. Sarnath is 10 km from the
holy city of Varanasi, and is an exceedingly tranqiuil place. The ruins, the museum and
temple are all within walking distance. |
| Area |
2.80 sq. km. |
| Altitude |
80.71 mtrs. Above sea level. |
| Season |
october- March |
| Clothing (Summer), (Winter)
|
Cottons, Woolen |
| Language |
Hindia, English |
| Festivals |
Buddha Purnima (Full Moon, April –May), Anniversary of First Sermon (Full Moon, July-August) |
| Local Transport |
Buses / Cycle –rickshaws / –rickshaws / Taxis |
ACCESSIBILITY
AIR
The nearest airport is Babatpur : 30 km.
RAIL
Sarnath is directly connected by Varanasi- Gorakhpur
Exp 0549 / 0550 and Varanasi – Bhatni- Varanasi Exp 0551/ 0552. See
Varanasi also.
ROAD
Sarnath 10 km from Varanasi, is well connected by
road.
PLACES OF INTEREST
 CHAUKHANDI STUPA
Chaukhandi is the first monument one encounters as
one enters Sanath. It is a lofty mound of brick –work whose square endifice is
surrounded by a octagonal tower. Originally said to built by Emperor Ashoka.
DHAMEK STUPA
The most remarkable structure at Sarnath, is the
cylindrical Dhamek Stupa, 28 mts in diameter at the base
and 43.6 mts in height, built partly of stone and partly of brick. The stone facing the
lower part is adorned with delicate floral carvings of Gupta origin.
MULAGANDHA KUTI VIHAR
This mordern temple has been erected by the
Mahabodhi Society. It has excellent frescoes by Kosetsu Nosu
japan’s foremost painter and is a rich repository of Buddhist literature. The ancient
Mulagandha Kuti temple is among the brick ruins of Sarnath.
SARNATH MUSEUM
Sarnath yielded a rich collection of sculptures
comprising numerous Buddha and Bodhisattva images. Considerde amongst the finest specimens
of Buddhist art, these have been housed at the museum, adjiacent to the site. The museum
is open from 10 am to 5 pm, and closed on Fridays. Apart from the above the other objects
of lnterest at Sarnath are the Dharmrajika Stup, magnificent Lion capital, India’s
National Emblem at Sarnath museum, the Saddharmachakra Vihar’s at excavated ruins.
ACCOMMODATION
Forest Rest House, Sarnath.
Mahabodhi Dharamshala, Sarnath.
Jain Dharamshala, Sarnath.
UP TOURISM ACCOMMODATION
Tourist Bungalow, UPSTDC, Sarnath.
RESTAURANTS
Anand Restaurant, Sarnath.
Rangoli Garden, Sarnath.
Mrigdav
Restaurant,
Sarnath
BANK
State Bank of India, Ashapur, Sarnath
Canara Bank
Central Bank, Ashapur
POST
& TELEGRAPH
Post Office, Sarnath
HOSPITALS
Govt. Hospitals, Sarnath
Dr. Baijnath Hospital, Sarnath
TOURIST
INFORMATION OFFICES
UP Governments Tourist Bureau, Sarnath
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