When we talk about Sarnath – two things come in mind – Ashoka, the Great and Buddha.
Old name of Sarnath was Isipatana – in Pali it means Holy man landed here. This seems to corroborate that Buddha might have landed here. That might be the reason that Ashoka built here a stupa as foundation of Dhameka Stupa.
Buddhism more flourished in Sarnath as was supported by wealthy merchants of Varanasi and reached its zenith during Gupta period (4th to 6th Century). Huen T-Sang reported that 30 monasteries and 3000 monks lived here.
In 1193 Jaichand of Kannauj was defeated here by plunderer Qutb-Din Aibak and Sarnath was heavily damaged including Ashoka pillar was destroyed in pieces.
Our complete itinerary was as
Where to stay
I always prefer to stay in state Govt. Tourism guest houses throughout India as these are very good, neat, reliable, big campuses, neat surroundings and have very good service. Also they own some responsibility of your safety. Their restaurants are also big and neat with varied cuisine.
They accept only ONLINE Bookings. In case you are not able to book just reach them personally.
Hotel booking link
As per your plan and convenience you can either stay in Varanasi or Sarnath.
https://www.upstdc.co.in/Booking/HotelBooking
from Rs. 750 to 3000 per day.
You can also stay in Sarnath which is about 12 KM from main temple.
Season
All seasons except May to July and December to January.
Distance to be walked on foot
2 KM
Expenses
For two persons total average expense lodging and boarding and local site seeing may be not more than
Rs.5000 in 2 Night stay.
How to reach
Sarnath is just 10 KM from Varanasi.
Mode of Transport
From Varanasi take E-auto to reach here in 30-40 minutes. Use same auto for local trip in Sarnath.
Sight seeing
Dhameka stupa
In earlier times when stupas concept originated in India, these were like we see 7000 years old curses barrows of Stonehenge in UK where the noble men were buried under a small hillock of mud. In India also it was the same when Buddhist monks were buried in sitting position. Later Ashoka, the Great constructed some stupas with the bones and relics of Buddha into it and used bricks and mud.
This stupa known as Dhameka stupa was first commissioned by Ashoka, the Great in 249 BC along with some other monuments here in Sarnath like Ashoka pillar. Current The Dhamek Stupa was built in 500 AD to replace an earlier structure.
The Dhamek Stupa is said to mark the exact spot where the Buddha gave the first sermon to his first five disciples, after attaining enlightenment. This historic event marked the formation of the sangha.
Chaukhandi stupa
1 KM from Dhameka stupa.
This lofty brick structure Stupa was built in Gupta period in 4-5th century. This marks the PROBABLE spot where Buddha MET (kind of meeting) his 5 disciples after enlightenment. This stupa is mentioned by Huen-T-sang also. The top octagonal brick and mud structure was constructed by Govardhan, son of Raja Todarmal in 1588 to commemorate visit Mughal king Humayun on his visit to Sarnath. See the sycophancy.
The base brick structure was constructed in 4-5 Century AD during Gupta period when Sarnath was in full bloom of prosperity by Varanasi merchants.
Mulagandha Kuty Vihara
This was built by Sattva Angarika Dharmpala, a noble son of Sri Lanka and revivor of Buddhism in India. Inaugurated in 1930 has relics of Buddha which were discovered by Archaeological Survey of India during excavation at Nagarjuni Konda (In Andhra state, famous for Buddhist monuments) and presented to King George V of India who in turn presented it to Maha Bodhi Society.
This is today a prime location of worship by Buddhists around world. The excellent paintings are sketches by Japanese painter Kosetsu assigned the job by Japanese government. Every year a procession is carried in city of Sarnath with relics of Buddha in a casket in Kartik Purnima.
Buddha Theme Park
There is a Buddha Theme Park just beside the Mulagandha Kuty Vihara. There is a big statue of Lord Buddha, a large bell in this park. There is a speech of lord Buddha engraved in granite stone in his first sermon here.
Vishwa Shanti stupa
It was built by finance from Indo-Japan Buddhist Cultural Society, built by Indians and inaugurated by then Governor of UP in 2010. The gateways built here are replica of gateways of Sanchi Stupa.
Shreyansh Nath Jain Temple
Eleventh Tirthankara Sreyansh Nath was born in Sarnath and five anecdotes related to him happened here. This is one of the prominent temples for Jains.
Epilogue
There are a few facts about Sarnath which normally go unnoticed by visitors. Few of them are –
Dhameka stupa was founded by Ashoka but in later time it was replaced by another stupa in Gupta period visible today. Choukhamba stupa was not built by Ashoka but by Gupta kings. As per ASI board the top structure is built by Govardhan, son of Todarmal in 1588 to commemorate visit of Humayun. This is an example of sycophancy even at the stage when Mughal empire was not fully founded. Dhameka stup is the place where Lord Buddha gave first sermon while Chaukhamba stupa is the spot
where he met his five disciples first time after enlightenment. Not sure how these spots were related to these incidents still.
There is a Vishwa Shanti Stupa in Sarnath also and its gateways are similar to one of the gateways in Saanchi. The wall paintings in Mulagandha Kuty Vihara are drawn by Japanese artist.
Sarnath saw the developments by King Ashoka, Gupta dynasty, Sri Lankan revivalist Sattva Angarika Dharmpala, Queen of Kannauj and destruction by Ghurid forces.
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