There are 4 important Buddhist places in life of Buddha. First Lumbini, where he was born, second was Bodhgaya where he gained enlightment also called Nirvana, Third was Sarnath where he delivered his first sermon and fourth and last was Kushinagar, where he passed away leaving his mortal body. India and Nepal are known as the land of the Buddha and all the Buddhist from all over the world look upon both the countries, India is major pilgrimage scared place to the memory of the enlightened one. Buddha came to Sarnath after attaining the enlightment in Bodhgaya. In Bodhgaya he delivered his first sermon in Deer Park. Sermon means in religious language, set of motions of Wheel of spiritual law (Maha – Dharmachakra Pravartan).
One of the prime attraction of Sarnath is Dhamekh Stupa, which is 42 meters in height, the Dhamekh Stupa signifies ‘The Seat of Holy Buddha’. Sarnath also has the ruins of Dharmajajika Stupa and that of the original Mulgandha-Kuti Temple, according to the Chinese travelers Hieun Tsang this stupa was 61 meters in height. Here Buddha had meditated and rested during his visit at Sarnath.
Between BC 304 – 232 BC, the great King Ashoka, follower of Buddha who spread the Buddha message of love and compassion through out the country, and he visited Sarnath around 234 BC, and built Stupa called Ashok Pillar, made by smooth radiant stone, he built this stupa to express his faith in Buddhism and Lord Buddha. There is also Chaukhandi Stupa, during the Gupta regime; (between 4th Centaury to 6th Centaury) this was originally a terraced temple. Later in 1588 AD, prince Govardhan the Son of Raja Todermal built a tower in Octagonal shape to honor the visit of Humayun – The father of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Govardhan later become the Governor under regime of Akbar, who honored all religions alike.
Some of the Buddhist shrines and structures were built in Sarnath during 3rd Century BC and 11th Centaury AD. Today Sarnath is the place of plenty of expansive Buddhist ruins; this small town is 10 kms away from Varanasi the ancient and holy city in Uttar Pradesh state in India. Varanasi is exceptionally serene place.
In Sarnath, the museum, stupas, and ruins, are at walking distance. There are plenty of Stupas and ruins of ancient monasteries, Ashoka Pillar with 4 sided head of Lion, which is Emblem of India at Sarnath museum, here there is a rich collections of old sculptures related to Buddha and that era also the images of Bodhisattva and Buddha, Buddhist arts. And the Buddha follower and tourist can walk around the Great Stupa, even round the clock. If you are vital and energetic you should take 108 walk around the holy Stupa. Mahabodhi Society has built The Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, an example of excellence frescoes by Kosetsu Nosu, a well known and foremost painter and artist and a great repository of the Buddhist religious literature.
October to April
Note: From July to Mid-November, the park is closed that is during the monsoon season.
Dhamekh Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, Bodhi Tree, Chaukandi Stupa, Dharmarajika Stupa, Moolgandha Kuti Vihara
Chanderi: famous for gossamer Chanderi textile cloth and Sarees. It has also some of the finest architecture during the period of Rajput, Bundela and Malwa Sultanate
Barua Sagar: A large lake made around 260 years back. There is also Barua Sagar Fort.
By Air: Varanasi is the nearest airport and well connected with Delhi, Mumbai and Kathmandu.
By Rail: The nearest railhead is Varanasi:, well connected by rail to all the major cities.
By Road: Varanasi: 10 kms, Allahabad: 137 kms, Ayodhya: 200 kms, Bodhgaya: 247 kms, Chitrakoot: 247 kms, Nalanda: 302 kms, Lucknow: 282 kms, Delhi: 765 kms.
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