Sarnath - Land of Ruins And Modern Buddhist Temples

It was  2 PM when  we rushed to Sarnath after a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Our plan was to reach back before 5'o clock for a boat ride in the Ganges.  But Sarnath, one of the four major pilgrimage destinations for Buddhists, had lots of surprises in store. Situated just 10 km from Varanasi, Sarnath is one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage centers.

WAT THAI SARNATH TEMPLE

This Buddhist temple is built in Thai style. Since there was less crowd at the museum, we wandered freely, gazing at the Buddha temple, Buddha statue and the well maintained garden.

Wat Thai Sarnath Temple, Sarnath  

The golden statue of  Lord Buddha  is indeed very beautiful.

As the sun began  its downward descent,  the side view of the  brown-colored  temple building was simply amazing.

Side view of Buddha temple, Sarnath

THE GIANT BUDDHA

A 80 ft.high Buddha Statue is located near to the temple. It is considered as the tallest standing Buddha statue in India.

Buddha Statue. Sarnath

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

We left the temple premises and walked towards the archaeological museum. It consists of  five galleries and two Varandahs. It has various ancient objects from the Buddhist arts, images of Hindu Gods  etc. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the museum.  Entry time is restricted between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm  and it is open on all days except Friday.

Archaeological Museum

EXCAVATED SITE

The excavation site of Sarnath has an impressive collection of monasteries, stupas, temples, inscriptions, sculptures and other antiquities ranging in date from 3rd century B.C. to 12th century A.D.  These sites are now maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India

DHARMARAJIKA STUPA

This structure is said to be one of the few pre-Ashoka stupas remaining. It is a large circular base made of bricks. This base has some layers of bricks and the upper surface is completely flat.

Monks pay their respects at Dharmarajika Stupa

DHAMEK STUPA

Of  the structures, Dhamek Stupa, a well - preserved archaeological blue print of  Buddhist structures in India, is the highlight.  The Stupa is 28.5 meters in diameter at the base and 42.60 meters in height, built partly of stone and partly of brick. According to an instruction dated 1026 A.D. recovered from the site, its old name was Dharma Chakra Stupa. This is the place where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. In search of the relic casket, Alexander Cunnigham bored a vertical shaft through its center down to the foundation level and at a depth of 91.4 cms, He found a slab with the inscription "Ye Dharma Hetu Prabhava hetu...." written in the brahmi script of 6th-7th century AD. Further below, he traced out a stupa made of Mauryan bricks.

Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath

The lower part of the  wall is covered with beautiful geometric designs, Swastika, leaf and floral patterns combined with birds and human figures.

There is a sign-board clearly requesting the tourists not to stick the golden foils on the walls of these ruins. We found gold pasted on the lower part of the stupa.

VOTIVE STUPAS

There are many ruins of small stupas, Buddha Vihars and a small temple in this escavated site. These small stupas are known as votive stupas.

Remnant of Votive Stupas and Viahrs

The great Dhamekh Stupa and several other structures stand testimony to the importance of the place enjoyed at that time. A must visit place, when you are in Varanasi.