Sarnath

Sarnath is a town in the Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh, India, located about 10 kilometers northeast of Varanasi. It is a major Buddhist pilgrimage site and an important archaeological area on the historic Buddhist circuit that also includes Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar.

In Buddhist tradition, the site is known as Isipatana, the Deer Park, where after attaining enlightenment the Buddha preached his first sermon to the five ascetics, an event regarded as the turning of the wheel of Dharma. The Deer Park remains a focal point of the precinct, which also features the Dhamek Stupa, a large brick structure commemorating the sermon and dating to the early Buddhist period. The surrounding ruins preserve evidence of ancient monastic life and monuments.

An Ashokan pillar once stood at Isipatana; the Lion Capital that topped the pillar is now housed in the Sarnath Museum and serves as the national emblem of India. The Sarnath Museum, established in 1910, houses a notable collection from the site, including the Lion Capital and other Mauryan-era sculptures and Buddhist artifacts.

The area also hosts Buddhist temples and monasteries established by communities from Thailand, Tibet, China, Japan, and other regions, reflecting Sarnath’s continuing role as a center of Buddhist practice. Today the site remains an active pilgrimage destination and a popular destination for visitors seeking to understand the origins and development of Buddhism.