Sarnath , Varanasi
About Sarnath
Sarnath is about thirteen kilometers from Varanasi. Here, Buddha preached his first sermon after gaining enlightenment. There is a deer park and a stupa in the grounds. There are also temples from the Thai, Tibetan, Japanese, Sri Lankan and Burmese traditions here, as this is a holy site for many Buddhists.
The history of the city dates back to 528 B.C. The city was earlier known as Isipathana. Sarnath is an important spot for Buddhist devotees because this is where Buddha preached his first Sermon. Sarnath is one of the most important holiest places in the Buddhist world. The city is named after Saranganatha, who is regarded as the God of Deer. As per the parables, this was the place where Gautama Buddha communicated his teaching on Dharma to his followers for the first time and thus marked the start of the Buddhist Sangha. Singhpur is a small village having strong historical ties. The village believed to be the birthplace of the eleventh Tirthankara of Jainism, Shreyansanath. Sarnath is a famous temple city of India. The town is calm and green. The place bears an imprint of archeological, historical and religious monuments and places. Sarnath is worth a visit to experience the cultural and religious heritage of India and Buddhism.
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Places to Visit near Sarnath
The Ashoka Pillar, Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh
0.1 km from Sarnath - See map
The Asoka pillar is one of the most famous places in Sarnath. The monument is of great importance for the Buddhist community as it marks the...
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Sarnath Museum, Uttar Pradesh
0.5 km from Sarnath - See map
Sarnath Museum is situated near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Maintained by Archaeological Survey of India, the museum houses the excavated items of...
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Chaukhandi Stupa, Uttar Pradesh
1 km from Sarnath - See map
The Chaukhandi Stupa is a Buddhist monument located at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh. The Gupta Dynasty built the stupa in the 5th century. The...
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Mulagandha Kuti Vihar Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh
1.1 km from Sarnath - See map
Mulagandha Kuti Vihar or Mulagandhakuti Vihara is situated in the heart of the city. It is believed by the  archaeologists that the Stupa...
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Nepali Temple (Kathwala Temple), Uttar Pradesh
9.4 km from Sarnath - See map
The Nepalese Temple or the Kathwala temple is named so for a good reason; it was built by the king of Nepal using the wood(kath) imported from...
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Manikarnika Ghat, Uttar Pradesh
9.4 km from Sarnath - See map
At Manikarnika Ghat funeral pyres burn solemnly in the evening light. This ghat is sacred in Hinduism, so sacred , in fact, that it is believed...
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Benaras Ghats, Uttar Pradesh
9.5 km from Sarnath - See map
Watching people bathe in the Ghats , pilgrims performing pujas, being cleansed by the holy water. The sun, at sunrise and sunset, plays on the...
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Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttar Pradesh
9.5 km from Sarnath - See map
Built in honor of Lord Shiva, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple is also called the Golden Temple because of its gold plated spire. Just a glimpse of the...
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Dasaswamedh Ghat, Uttar Pradesh
10.7 km from Sarnath - See map
Many Sadhus can be seen at the Dasaswamedh Ghat. The holy devotees of Shiva come here to perform riverside religious rites. Priests offer...
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Aasi Ghat, Uttar Pradesh
12.8 km from Sarnath - See map
It is believed by the locals that at Aasi Ghat or Assi Ghat, Lord Shiva is represented by a lingam placed underneath a peepal tree. This is the...
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Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, Uttar Pradesh
14.4 km from Sarnath - See map
Bharat Kala Bhavan museum is within the Benares Hindu University campus or BHU. With over 100,000 exhibits, It is considered to be the best...
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Monkey Temple (Durga Temple), Uttar Pradesh
14.5 km from Sarnath - See map
Dedicated to Goddess Durga, this temple is stained red with ochre. Â The red temple is above a rectangular pond named the Durga Kund. Goddess...
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