Sarnath Things to Do

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The place is now mostly in ruins but what beautiful ruins. As you wander about the ruins, you see the massive stupa, the remnants of the Ashoka Pillar, the Lion Capital, various stupas, Dharma Chakra, the monasteries and the Jin-Vihara. It is to the credit of Mr. Duncan and Cole Mackenzie who first discovered the holy site in 1798. They were followed by Alexander Cunniham, Major Kittoe and others who painstakingly excavated the site as mentioned in the plaque at the entrance to the place. It is considered auspicious to walk around the great Stupa in a clock-wise manner and, if you really want to, walk around it 108 times.

First Written: Mar. 29, 2012

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Next to this, a bit further down to your left is the Archaeological Museum, a veritable treasure house. There are five galleries and two verandahs. The Lion Capital of Ashoka, with the four-sided lions head, India's National Emblem, awaits you in the main hall. This is the original one. Behind this, against the wall is the Ashokan Pillar with the re-created Dharma Chakra. The other antiquities are from the 3rd century BC to the 12th century AD. Numerous Buddha and Bodhisattva images are on display here.

Sir John Marshall, the-then Director General of Archaeology in India, was the pioneer in establishing the Archaeological Museum at Sarnath. The building was completed in 1910 and the museum opened to the public the same year. This museum has nearly 7,000 antiquities.

It remains open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, except on Fridays.

First Written: Mar. 29, 2012

Just as you near the Archaeological Museum on your left is the Chaukhandi Stupa. It is on a high mound of bricks. It was supposedly built by Emperor Ashoka. Nearby is India’s tallest statue of Lord Buddha (80 ft), built in an area of 2.5 acres and consisting of 815 stones.

First Written: Mar. 29, 2012

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The Dhamek stupa at Sarnath is a beautiful sight. It was built in 500 AD. and it is said to be built at the place where the Budhha first gave his sermon. At the bottom of the huge stupa, there are beautiful floral curvings on stone. There is also a stone slab with Buddhist inscriptions on it that dates back to the 6th century BC. The place around the Dhamekh stupa is very green and soothing.

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Emperor Ashoka, who spread Lord Buddha's message of love and compassion throughout his vast empire, came to Sarnath around 234 BC and constructed the Ashoka pillar with the Lion Capital on top of it. Today, this pillar has been ruined but in Sarnath archaeological Museum one can see the magnificent Lion Capital, which once crowned the top of the Ashoka pillar at Sarnath. This top broke off and is stored in the museum. It is today the national symbol of India (can be seen in currency notes and coins).

There is a beautiful Deer Park at Sarnath. It is said that this park houses deers that are the direct descendents of the original deer, living thousands of years ago in Sarnath when the Great Buddha preached here.

The Sarnath archaeological Museum is a great collection of Buddhist sculptures, inscriptions, The Buddha's statues and pottery. Some of the finest images/idols of the Buddha and panels depicting important episodes from his life can be found here. One also finds the top of the Ashoka pillar, once forming part of the pillar and now the national symbol of India.

The Japanese temple at Sarnath is situated in a very calm and serene environment. The place is also very clean. There is a huge golden statue of the sleeping Buddha inside the temple. This temple is very close to the Dhamek stupa