Sarnath
Lord Buddha travelled all over India to spread his knowledge and skills from Bodhgaya in Bihar to Stupas in Madhya Pradesh. Sarnath is one of the four holy sites for Buddhism that every devotee visits to attain widening knowledge about peace and Dharma. These other three locations are Lumbini (Buddha's birthplace); Bodh Gaya, (Buddha's enlightenment site); and Kushinagar (Buddha's parinirvana site). Sarnath is among the most famous pilgrimage destinations in India as the place is home to Hindu, Jain and Buddhist temples. For pilgrims who seek enlightenment and love to discover ancient relics, Sarnath tourism will provide the best by promising an unforgettable experience for them by leaving a lasting impression on their souls
Sarnath, a religious town of Uttar Pradesh is widely famous all around the world for Gautam Buddha. The Buddhist pilgrims believed that Lord Buddha visited this place to teach Dharma and also preached his first sermon here. The city of Sarnath is located on the northeast side of Varanasi and lies close to the confluence of the Ganga and Varuna rivers. The city got its name from the word Mirgaeva which is derived from the Saranganath which means 'Lord of Deer'.
Tourism in Sarnath involves journeys through numerous Buddhist stupas, museums, ancient relics and beautifully carved temples that provide a great source of immense wonder and excitement to tourists due to their serene environment. The Sarnath sightseeing tour remains incomplete without visiting the stupas and the Golden Temple here. It is also a significant Jain pilgrimage destination as the birthplace of Jainism's eleventh Tirthankara, Shreyansanath, and at this location, a temple is dedicated to him. Temples like Shri Digamber Temple are also a great tourist attraction to visit during the Sarnath tour.
Some of the best visiting places in Sarnath include Stupas like Chaukhandi Stupa and Dhamekh Stupa along with the Sarnath Archaeological Museum, Thai Temple, Tibetan Temple, Ashoka Pillar and the Bodhi Tree. The Chaukhandi Stupa is believed to be the place where Buddha met his 5 followers and is said to be one of the popular tourist attractions in Sarnath. Buddhism is one of the most followed religions in the world though its origin traces back to India. Other must visit places in Sarnath include the Dhamekh Stupa where Buddha discussed his preachings of Dharma. Close to this lies Dharmarajika Stupa where the bones of Lord Buddha remain. These holy sites have survived throughout history and have become one of Uttar Pradesh's most popular religious destinations.
Every year during the occasion of Buddha Purnima, a huge flock of pilgrims gather here to witness this auspicious festival with full enthusiasm. The festival is known as Buddha Purnima as it is celebrated on the night of a full moon when lamps are lit at the Bodhi Tree and other important locations in the evening. The Buddha statue is placed by devotees in a basin with water and flowers, representing the divinity of the teachings of the Buddha.
How to Reach & Best Time to Visit Sarnath
October to March are the ideal months to visit when the temperature becomes comfortable for sightseeing although it can be visited any time of the year but better to avoid the summer and monsoon. Reaching Sarnath is fairly easy by any means of transportation which includes roadways, railways and airways. The nearest airport is in Varanasi which is approximately 25 km away and connected to other major cities. One can get at Sarnath Railway Station or Varanasi Railway whatever seems comfortable to visitors. Sarnath is well connected by roads, and getting here via a bus, cab or taxi will be quite accessible. NH 19 and NH 31 are also very close to the city
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The popular points of tourist interests in Sarnath are Dhamekh Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Sarnath Archaeological Museum, Wat Thai Sarnath Temple, Tibetan Temple, Ashoka Pillar, Bodhi Tree, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, Sarnath Deer Park, and many more
