Sarnath and Dhamek Stupa
Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh
Sarnath, about 10 km from Varanasi, is where the Buddha is said to have given his first sermon after his enlightenment. The great brick Dhamek Stupa, dated to about the 5th to 6th century CE, rises from a green park of monastery ruins, with the remains of Ashoka's pillar nearby. It is one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites and a calm, spacious contrast to the lanes of Kashi.
What to see and do
- See the Dhamek Stupa and its carved lower band
- Walk among the ruins of the monasteries and the Mulagandhakuti Vihara site
- See the remains of Ashoka's pillar and the Deer Park
- Visit the Sarnath museum, home of the lion capital that became India's national emblem, if open
Ideal for
- Anyone interested in Buddhism and ancient history
- Visitors who want a quiet break from the temples
- Photographers who like open spaces
Good to know
- It is about 10 km from central Varanasi, roughly 30 to 45 minutes by road (an estimate)
- There is an entry ticket for the archaeological site, and the museum has its own hours and a weekly closing day, so check locally
- Go in the morning or late afternoon, as the park is open and hot at midday
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking on the grass and ruins
- Respect the sites as places of worship for Buddhist pilgrims
Spiritual significance
Sarnath is where the Buddha first taught the path to the end of suffering, and its stupa and ruins are among the oldest Buddhist monuments in India. Many pilgrims add it to a Kashi visit.
Why it matters
- The first sermon: the place where the Buddha began to teach
- One of the four great Buddhist sites: with Bodh Gaya, Lumbini and Kushinagar
- An ancient monument: the Dhamek Stupa is about 1,500 years old