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| Sarnath |
 Location from nearby major cities
Lucknow (330 kms), Allahabad (138 kms), Varanasi (10 kms)
Known For
Sarnath is a popular Buddhist pilgrimage destination of Uttar Pradesh. It is here that Lord Buddha had delivered his first sermon.
Climate & the best time to visit
Tropical climatic conditions are what typify Sarnath. April-June are so hot and dry that the temperatures can reach upto 40°.July witnesses a lot of rainfall. December-February are cold when temperature goes as down as 10 degrees or even lower.
October to March is the best time to visit Sarnath.
The City
Located near Varanasi ( U P ), Sarnath is a respected pilgrimage centre for the Buddhist community. This place if famous as the place where Budhha is believed to have preached his first sermon. He told his disciples the middle path of achieving NIRVANA. In 3rd century BC when Ashoka built various fabulous structures for Buddhism. Most of these structures are still in a good condition and play a major role in the tourism of this place.
Attractions in the City
Dhamek Stupa :
The architectural brilliance of the epoch is marked by the stupas at this place. The Dhamek stupa is a cylindrical structure that is extremely remarkable. The impressive structure is 28 metres in diameter at the base and rises to a height of 43.6 meters from the ground. A mix of stones and bricks has been used to make the structure more impressive. At the time of Guptas, the floral carvings on the stupa were done to add beauty to the stupa.
Choukhandi Stupa :
Built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1555 A.D., Choukhandi Stupa is said to be the place Lord Buddha had met his five disciples. The famous ashoka pillar also used to stand near the stupa, which now stands at the Sarnath museum. The pillar notifies the exact date when Emperor Ashoka visited Sarnath.
Mulgandha Kuti Vihara :
It is a Tibetan Buddhist shrine, which was constructed in Sarnath in 1930. The huge statue of Buddha and the various antiques that are present here makes this place attractive tourist destination for the people. The Japanese artists have left no stone unturned in beautifying it with their murals. A Bodhi tree, which stands at the place, is said to be a young one of the tree at Bodhgaya.
Archaeological Museum :
A number of excavations were done in the area and the findings of those excavations have been displayed in this museum. However, the main attraction remains wonderful statue of the Buddha turning the wheel of law. Apart from these, a number of plastic art pieces are also on display, which are made by the Indian artists.
Other Places to Visit Buddhist Monks
Varanasi :
Situated 8 kms from Sarnath, the place is also known as Benaras. It is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimages as the historical and holy ghats of this place offer the pacification of sins to the people seeking peace. A number of rituals take place at the banks of Ganges. The sight in the evenings is worth watching when numerous earthen lamps are released on the holy waters of the river after the arti.
Jaunpur :
Feroz Shah Tuglaq founded this place in 14 century BC. It has a few monuments and is mainly popular as a production hub for its Jasmine oil factories.
Allahabad :
The Triveni Sangam marks the popularity of Allahbad, which is around 138 Kms away from Sarnath. Here, the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati meet. A number of followers visit this place to bath in the holy waters. The Kumbh Mela takes place here every 12 years and is the most revered fair of the Hindus.
How To Reach
By Air : The airport nearest to Sarnath is the Varanasi airport. Cities such as Delhi, Agra, Kathmandu and Mumbai are well connected to Sarnath by the various commercial flights.
By Rail : The major places in U P and other states of India are well connected to the Sarnath railway station through the express and the local trains.
By Road : The National Highway 29 that connects Varanasi and Gorakhpur, connects Sarnath with the other cities and state of the country.
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