Sarnath Temple

Sarnath is a prominent Buddhist and Jain pilgrimage site close to Varanasi at the confluence of river Ganga & Varuna. Here, Buddha gave his first sermon and formed the first Buddhist Sangha. It was invaded, destroyed and demolished over the years however still many artefacts of cultural importance like the Lion Capital of Ashoka are found here. Famous stupas here are Chaukhandi Stupa and the Dhamek Stupa.

Sarnath is an ancient holy site of significance to Buddhism. After experiencing Nirvana, meaning ultimate awakening at Bodh Gaya, the Buddha sought to spread this wisdom. At Sarnath's Deer Park, he delivered his first sermon in 528 BC, known as the "Turning the Wheel of Law" or traditionally called ‘Dharma-chakra-pravartana’. Here he talked about the Four Noble Truths to his five companions or disciples namely Kaudinya, Bhadrika, Vashpa, Mahanaman, Ashvajit. Together they formed a ‘Sangha’ or a community of spiritual seekers.

At Sarnath, the first Buddhist Sangh was formed. It was a community of spiritual seekers composed of Buddha and his five companions. This marked a crucial shift - as the path to enlightenment wouldn't be solitary anymore. It would be walked together, offering support, guidance, and shared understanding - a living testament to the Buddha's message of love, compassion, and the collective search for truth. So, the Turning of the Wheel of Law sermon delivered by Buddha wasn't just about sharing profound knowledge; it was about building a community, a Sangha, that would spread the wisdom for generations to come.

Geography: Sarnath is located on the banks of river Ganga where it meets river Varuna in Uttar Pradesh around 8 km northeast from Varanasi.

Culture: Buddha Purnima is enthusiastically celebrated in Sarnath marking the birth of Buddha. Sarnath is also an important Jain pilgrimage site.

• Ashokan Pillar: The famous four-faced lion-headed capital pillar was found at Sarnath and dates back to 250 BC. It is now a prominent part of the National Emblem of India showing the Horse on the left and the Bull on the right of the Ashoka Chakra in the circular base on which the four Indian lions are standing back to back.
• Dhamek Stupa: It marks the precise location at which Buddha’s first sermon was delivered. It is built in a unique Gupta style of stupa architecture characterised by the use of cream-coloured sandstone and metal. The Buddha statute’s halo has detailed decorations and the body is completely covered with clothing. Here, a Jain temple is also found.
• Chaukhandi Stupa: It is an ancient Buddhist Site. Later, an octagonal tower was built to commemorate Humayun’s visit to Sarnath. The site is now designated as a Monument of National Importance by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
• Lalitavistara Sutra: Is a Mahayana Buddhist text containing stories about the life of Buddha and his first sermon at Sarnath.
• Mahaparinibbana Sutta: Buddha called Sarnath one of the four places of pilgrimage for Buddhists apart from Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar.
• Sarnath Museum is the oldest site of the Archaeological Survey of India setup in 1910. It houses the Lion Capital of Ashoka.
• Buddha Preaching his First Sermon Sculpture:built in 5th Century CE out of sandstone it is housed at the Sarnath Museum.

• Fa-Hien: Was a Chinese pilgrim who visited India during the rule of Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya) around 400 AD. He was on a Buddhist pilgrimage visiting the holy site of Sarnath as well. All this is described in his book “Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms” which gives details about the religious and social life of Indians at that time.
• Hiuen Tsang or Xuanzang: Was a Chinese Buddhist traveller, who visited India during rule of Harsha in 629-644 AD. He visited Sarnath and recorded his visit in his book ‘Buddhist Record of the Western’. He mentioned that many priests, small shrines and stupas dotted the Sarnath landscape.
• Qutbuddin Aibek: In 1194 CE raided and looted Sarnath. This led to large-scale exodus of Buddhist monks from Sarnath.
• British Colonial Explorers: Alexander Cunningham, Francis Buchanan-Hamilton and Colin Mackenzie visited to explore and excavate the ruins during mid 19th Century.

Sarnath is called the Land of Stupas due to the prevalence of this Buddhist relic. This is where Buddha’s enlightenment began and hence can be looked at as the founding place of Buddhism. Many icons which are central to India today are found in Sarnath like the Lion Capital of Ashoka . This site remind popular even later as many famous explorers came for studying buddhism (Fa Hien & Xuanzang) or to exploit its riches (Qutubuddin Aibek and British Explorers like Alexander Cunningham).

To safeguard the heritage of culture of this important site, Uttar Pradesh Government has recently approved a 'Vedic City Sarnath' township. This will lead to improved development and increased tourist footfall to the city which is the birthplace of Buddhism.