What is Sarnath?
Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is one of the most popular Buddhist tourist destinations in India. Rishipattana is deeply rooted in history with various monuments, various Buddhist stupas, museums, and temples which create a serene and mystical atmosphere. Located at a short distance of 10 km from the main city, Sarnath is a revered pilgrimage destination visited not just by Buddhist believers but by other religious communities as well.
Sarnath has lots of astonishing ancient marvels and monuments which makes it an exciting one-day trip. As the place where Lord Buddha gave his first preachings, Rishipattana became an important and popular tourist place visited by every traveler for its great cultural significance and soothing spiritual ambiance. There are lots of places to visit and things to do in Sarnath, which will make for a relaxing trip.
Places to Visit in Sarnath
1. Dhamek Stupa
Exploring the main stupa is among the first things to do in Sarnath. This stupa was built on exactly the same spot where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples. All the renovation and construction work of pre-Buddhism monuments were done by King Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. There are wall carvings, murals, and an adjacent museum if you want to know more about this stupa and its history. You can enjoy a light & sound show at the Dhamek Stupa, which briefs you about more about Gautam Buddha, and the history of Rishipattana.
More Information
Entry fees:
Indians: ₹20/-
Foreigners: 100/-
Light & Sound show: ₹200/-
Timing for visit: 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Light and Sound Show timing: 6:00 PM daily
2. Sarnath Archeological Site
Sarnath is famous for its archaeological sites as well. The site is located near the Dhamek Stupa and lies on the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers. The four-headed lion pillar is in this place, which is the national emblem of India. Various Buddhist Kings built different small temples around the premises during their rule.
Important Info
Entry fees:
Indians: ₹20/-
Foreigners: ₹100/-
Timing for visit: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily
3. Mahabodhi Society Temple
Today’s Mahabodhi Temple stands where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. This ancient Sarnath temple is built entirely of bricks and stones. Dharmapala from Sri Lanka restored the ruined temple and restored it to its former glory. He ventured to different Buddhist countries to collect funds for the restoration project. The temple is situated next to the Mrigadava Archeological Site. Japanese painters were hired to decorate the place. Dharmapala also collected the ashes of Lord Buddha and stored it in the temple.
Important Info
Entry fees: None
Timing for visit: Anytime
4. Chaukhandi Stupa
The Chaukhandi Stupa is one of the most revered religious monuments in the Buddhist culture. This stupa has been built on the very spot where Lord Buddha met his first 5 disciples who attended his first sermon. This monument stands as a symbol of the rise of a Buddhist religion, commemorating a major historic event. The monument is also a shrine for Lord Buddha. The place has a divine ambiance with a tranquil vibe and soothing environment and it is among the places to see in Sarnath.
Important Info
Entry fees:
Indians: ₹5/-
Foreigners: ₹100/-
Free for children below 15 years
Timing for visit: 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Average required time: 1-2 hours
5. Ashoka Pillar
Among the most renowned Sarnath tourist places, this stands as the national emblem of India and also marks King Ashoka’s visit to Rishipatana. This pillar has marvelous architectural design, and it is 50 m tall. At the base of the pillar, four animals are depicted – a bull, an elephant, a lion, and a horse – symbolizing the four different stages of Gautam Buddha’s life. This pillar, along with the other monuments in Mrigadava is a gift to Buddhism by King Ashoka. The calm aura of the place is the best place for meditating. The entire complex is surrounded by lush green lawns and gardens.
Important Info
Entry fees: ₹5/-
Timing for visit: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Remains closed on Fridays
6. Thai Temple
This renowned Buddha temple has marvelous architecture inspired by the Thai architectural style. This temple is also a Buddhist temple and is surrounded by a beautiful garden. The temple was built here in collaboration with the Thai government. Thai monks manage and take care of the premise.
Important Info
Entry fees: None
Timing for visit: Anytime
Average required time: 1 hour
7. Tibetan Temple
This is another Buddhist shrine which is very popular place to visit. The temple is decorated with beautiful Tibetan Buddhist paintings called Thangkasa . The temple has a statue of the Buddha in Shakyamuni form. There is a prayer wheel as well, which, upon rotating clockwise releases a paper scroll. People write their wishes on the scroll.
Important Info
Entry fees: None
Timing for visit: Anytime
Average required time: 1 hour
8. Archeological Museum
This museum stores various ancient artifacts of from 3rd century to 12th century. The museum was established in 1910. The museum is open for public visit and you should definitely try during your Mrigadava tour.
How to reach Sarnath?
Traveling to Rishipatana is not very difficult. There are multiple transportation options available. But if you are looking for more comforting and reliable option and you don’t want to worry about looking for transport again and again, than you can consider booking the taxi service of Chiku Cab. Their cab services are best for traveling and for Ishipattana sightseeing. You can enjoy a smooth Ishipattana tour at minimum expense,. They provide cabs at very reasonable prices for outstation travels, local hourly rentals, and airport transfers. They have an extensive vehicle fleet which includes different cab options, from economical hatchbacks to spacious tempo travellers. Book your cab today with Chiku Cab for a seamless trip from Varanasi to Sarnath.
FAQs
Q. Where is Sarnath? How to reach Sarnath?
A. Sarnath is located in the outskirts of Varanasi which is at a distance of 10 km from here. You can easily get there as there are multiple travel options available. You can also hire a reliable cab in Varanasi for traveling to Ishipattana from the main city.
Q. What is the best time to visit Sarnath?
A. The best time to visit Sarnath is during the winter months, from October to March. The summer season is very hot here which is not recommended for traveling. You can also consider visiting during monsoon season as the weather remains pleasant for sightseeing.
Q. What are some of the places to visit near Sarnath?
A. There are various places that you explore near Varanasi, such as Vindhaychal Dham, Allahabad, Agra, Kanpur, and other worth exploring cities just a few miles away.
Q. What are the top things to do in Sarnath?
A. There are several activities you can do in Rishipatana, such as exploring, Dhamek Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, Thai temple, Tibetan temple, Chaukhandi Stupa, and more.
Q. What is the best way to reach Sarnath from Varanasi?
A. There are multiple transportation options available for traveling to Sarnath from Varanasi. You can get any local auto rickshaw, local cabs, or even buses. You can also book a private cab service like Chiku Cab for exploring Ishipattana and other popular attractions.
I’m a wanderer who loves venturing on to unknown and unseen places. I explore freely to various fun and adventurous places, whether it be spiritual temple tours, captivating landscapes, and more. I wonder around in search of hidden gems and tourist attractions, temples, and other places.
