Get enlightened at Sarnath

The Buddha – a picture of peace, calm, tranquility and charm. Isn’t wonderful to be like him and isn’t it a great achievement to attain enlightenment? Yes it was at Sarnath that Buddha the learned one taught the Dharma and also the place where the Sangha for Buddhists was first formed. This is thus one of the four major places of pilgrim. There is the deer park here which is where the Buddha is said to have rested and taught the first Dharma. Lying around 13 km from the city of Varanasi, Sarnath lies around 13 km from the main city.

In the deer park you would find the stupa constructed by the Emperor Asoka in the year 249 BCE. There are many more such Buddhist structures in the park that were constructed much later and the ages between the 3rd century BC and the 11th Century CE saw a lot of changes in the religious and political sector here.

Sarnath is a peaceful area and the greenery here is a great relief to all the tourists who come here to enjoy, rejuvenate and relax while on a vacation. People who have not been able to go to Varanasi and have not got any accommodation in the city of Varanasi can come to Sarnath and relax.

The Varanasi airport is a major hub for all those who want to come to Sarnath can access the air by this airport.

Varanasi Cantonment is around 6 km and it is connected to all the cities in India. The city of Sarnath does have a small station, and very few trains halt there.

Sarnath is also accessed by bus and the place is also accessed through a taxi or a rickshaw. Be careful of the exorbitant rates that the taxi drivers charge and dont succumb to their ways.

You could see the Dhamekh Stupa here. Built by the great Indian king Asoka who built this in memory of the pilgrimage he took to the Deer park. The stupa signifies the spot where the Buddha taught five saints about the Four Noble Truths, This was also Buddha’s first teaching after his enlightenment.

The Chaukhandi Stupa which was built in the fifth century and also is the place where the Buddha is believed to have met the five saints. There is a tower here which is octagonal shaped and has Islamic origins.

See the ruins at the Mulagandhakuti Vihara which is where it is believed that the Buddha spent the rainy season the first time.

Also see the Asoka Pillar where only the base remains.

Don’t leave Sarnath without seeing the Archaeological Museum here .This is where there is a great collection of artifacts which have been taken out from the site. The sculptures here are of stupendous historical interest.

Then of course you have the Sri Digamber Jain temple which is located near the Dhamekh Stupa. Here you can learn about the Digambara monasticism which is an offshoot of the Jain Dharma.

Visit Sarnath and be enlightened with the values of the Buddha. It is a great place to visit and a nice travel to undertake.