Sarnath

Sarnath is one of the four most sacred sites in the Buddhist world. After attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya, the young Siddhartha Gautama — now the Buddha — travelled to Isipatana (the name for Sarnath in Pali) in the deer park outside Varanasi, where he gave his first sermon to five ascetics. This event — the Dharmachakra Pravartana, the turning of the wheel of dharma — is considered the moment Buddhism began.

Sarnath is 12 kilometres north of Varanasi city centre and is typically visited as a half-day trip from Varanasi, usually in the morning before the afternoon heat. It pairs naturally with the Varanasi 3-day itinerary on the second day. For practical transport and timing logistics, see the Sarnath day trip guide.

History of the Site

Archaeological evidence at Sarnath indicates Buddhist activity from as early as the 3rd century BCE — Emperor Ashoka visited in approximately 250 BCE, erected his famous pillar (the lion capital of which is now India's national symbol), and built several stupas. The site flourished through the Gupta period (4th–6th centuries CE) when the great Dhamek Stupa was constructed and Sarnath became a major Buddhist learning centre rivalling Nalanda.

The site was devastated in 1194 CE by the Afghan general Qutb al-Din Aibak's forces, who systematically demolished the monasteries. Sarnath was abandoned and forgotten until 1798–1800, when British surveyors began excavations and identified the site's significance. Systematic archaeological excavation since the 19th century has revealed the full extent of the ancient city.