Sarnath (Dhamek Stupa and Archaeological Park)

Sarnath, about 10 km north of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the site where the Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment, and it remains one of the four major Buddhist pilgrimage places. The archaeological park centers on the Dhamek Stupa, a massive cylindrical tower of brick and stone from around the 5th century, whose lower walls carry carved floral and geometric patterns. Around it lie the foundations of monasteries from the Mauryan to Gupta and later periods, laid out as low brick walls and courtyards across lawns. Nearby are the Mulagandha Kuti foundation, the remains of the Dharmarajika Stupa, and the stump of an Ashokan pillar, whose famous lion capital is displayed in the adjacent Sarnath Museum and serves as India's national emblem. Visitors walk the park on shaded paths and often see pilgrims circumambulating the Dhamek Stupa. The deer park in the area recalls the setting of the original teaching. A visit to the park takes about two to three hours when combined with the museum and the modern temples and monasteries built by Buddhist communities from Japan, Thailand, Tibet and other countries. The site opens from sunrise to sunset daily, and entry costs more for foreign visitors than for Indian citizens. Morning visits are cooler, with softer light on the brickwork, and are generally less crowded than afternoons, although weekends and Buddhist festivals such as Buddha Purnima bring larger groups. The park is reached from Varanasi by auto or taxi in roughly thirty minutes. Shade is limited around the main stupa, so sun protection and water are useful. Quiet conduct is expected near monks and pilgrims.