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CRADLE OF BUDDHISM
Situated
10 km from Varanasi is the site where Buddha
delivered his first sermon to his five disciples, preaching the middle
path for attaining 'Nirvana'. Realising the sanctity of the site, emperor
Ashoka, in the 3rd century B.C. built some of the finest monuments and
legacies.
The 34-metre-high 'Dhamek'
stupa stands as a remarkable structure. This contains the remains of Lord
Buddha, while the Deer Park in Sarnath is where the Lord delivered his
first sermon. The area is now graceful and pleasant, breathing the spirit
of the enlightened one, aglow with the devotion of the many followers who
inhabited it through the centuries that followed.
Stupa's
'Choukhandi' Stupa:
Raised by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1555 A.D., it is believed to be the
place where Buddha met his five disciples. The majestic Ashoka pillar
records visit of emperor Ashoka to Sarnath. It was originally adorned by a
capital of four lions, now housed in the Sarnath museum. The capital
became the state emblem of modern India.
The Stupas:
The
great Dhamekh stupa and
dharmarajika stupas stand testimony to the great budhhist activity. The
most remarkable structure at Sarnath, is the cylindrical Dhamek stupa, 28
mts. in diameter at the base and 43.6 mts. in height, built partly of
stone and partly of brick. The stone facing the lower part is adorned with
delicate floral carvings of Gupta origin.
CRADLE OF BUDDHISM
Situated
10 km from Varanasi is the site where Buddha
delivered his first sermon to his five disciples, preaching the middle
path for attaining 'Nirvana'. Realising the sanctity of the site, emperor
Ashoka, in the 3rd century B.C. built some of the finest monuments and
legacies.
The 34-metre-high 'Dhamek'
stupa stands as a remarkable structure. This contains the remains of Lord
Buddha, while the Deer Park in Sarnath is where the Lord delivered his
first sermon. The area is now graceful and pleasant, breathing the spirit
of the enlightened one, aglow with the devotion of the many followers who
inhabited it through the centuries that followed.
Stupa's
'Choukhandi' Stupa:
Raised by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1555 A.D., it is believed to be the
place where Buddha met his five disciples. The majestic Ashoka pillar
records visit of emperor Ashoka to Sarnath. It was originally adorned by a
capital of four lions, now housed in the Sarnath museum. The capital
became the state emblem of modern India.
The Stupas:
The
great Dhamekh stupa and
dharmarajika stupas stand testimony to the great budhhist activity. The
most remarkable structure at Sarnath, is the cylindrical Dhamek stupa, 28
mts. in diameter at the base and 43.6 mts. in height, built partly of
stone and partly of brick. The stone facing the lower part is adorned with
delicate floral carvings of Gupta origin.
Museums
Archaeological Museum:
On display here, is a magnificent statue of the Buddha turning the wheel
of law, and many other excavations that exhibit the flowering of the
Indian Plastic arts.
Mulgandha Kuti Vihara:
The Tibetan buddhist shrine, Mulgandha Kuti Vihara, built in 1930,
enshrines sacred relics from various places and a lifesize golden statue
of the Buddha. It is decorated with brilliant frescoes by Japanese artist,
Kosetsu Nosu. There are also a few Chinese and Jain temples A 'Bodhi' tree
growing on the campus is believed to be the offspring of one under which
Buddha had attained enlightenment.
Chunar:
The
northern extreme of the Kaimur hills affords a impressive view of the
invincible sandstone battlements of Chunar, that overlook a bend in the
ganges. Vikramaditya of Ujjain is said to be its earliest occupant, way
back in 56 B.C. chunar sandstone has been used for the past many
centuries, most famously in the making of the the Ashokan Pillar, which
was highly polished for sheen and longevity.
Jaunpur:
This dusty city 65kms northwest of Varanasi, was founded by Feroz Shah,
in 1930. Jaunpur is bisected by River Gomti, into two sectors. The massive
Akbari Bridge is a landmark of the region. Other attractions include Feroz
Shah Fort and Atala Mosque.
Air: Varanasi
(Babatpur) Airport is the nearest airport. Commercial flights connect
Varanasi to Kathmandu, Delhi
, Agra and
Mumbai .
Rail: Varanasi railway station is well
connected to important cities.
Road: It is located on the National Highway No. 29 that also
connects Varanasi and Gorakhpur.
Local Transport: Taxis, Auto-rickshaws, and Local Buses.
Being one of the major toursit circuit sites, accommodation
is not hard to find in Sarnath. One can even check out some monasteries,
which also provide rooms to stay. Some accommodation option include:
Tourist Bungalow, Sarnath
Forest Rest House, Sarnath.
Mahabodhi Society Dharamshala, Sarnath.
Jain Dharamshala, Sarnath.
Tourist Bungalow, (UPSTDC), Sarnath.
Restaurants: Anand Restaurant, Rangoli Garden,
Open Restaurant.
Banks: State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Central Bank.
Tourist Information Centre: UP Government Tourist Bureau, Sarnath.
Post & Telegraph: Post Office, Sarnath.
Hospitals: Govt. Hospital, Sarnath; Dr. Baijnath Hospital,
Sarnath.
Varanasi: 10-km
Main Festivals: Buddha Purnima (May), Kartik
Purnima (Oct-Nov).
Area: 2.80 sq. km.
Altitude: 80.71 m.
Clothing: Summer: Cottons.
Winter:
Woollens.