Sarnath (Sarnath)

Sarnath or Deer Park, about 10 km from Varanasi city, India. Previously, the garden was called Mrigadava, which means deer garden. According to the legend, at this place, the Buddha met five men who had been his companions in his previous practice. The Buddha began to teach not for the sake of argument but for the benefit and compassion of people. He explains the middle path avoiding extremes, the Four Noble Truths, and prescribes the Noble Eightfold Path.

In the third century BC, Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya dynasty erected a 15.24 m high pillar with four lions to mark the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon, which is now housed in an archeological museum. archeology. The lion symbolizes both the kingship of Ashoka and the Buddha. Four lions are taken as the symbol of the present day republic of India.

Currently, the garden is no longer preserved as it was in the glory days of Buddhism because many parts have been destroyed by radical Islam. However, visitors coming here can visit many famous remnants left, showing the majesty of the holy place such as Dhamek tower, Chaukhandi tower, Dharmarajika stupa, Mulagandhakuti vihara, King Ashoka's stone pillar. and the Bodhi tree branched from Bodh Gaya,…

The Dhamek Stupa is the most visible structure in Sarnath, a shaft from the center of the top of the stupa was drilled and discovered a stele engraved with the word Dhamekha, believed to be the place where Buddha gave a sermon. first law. The current size of the stupa is 31.3 m high and 28.3 m in diameter. The lower part of the stupa is completely covered with intricately carved stone. The two main materials used to build the Dhamekh stupa are burnt brick and sandstone, carved in different geometric patterns with a delicately carved lotus flower garland running above and below the vivid swastikas. and delicate.

There is also the Dharmarajika stupa, which is also part of the relic, the Dharmarajika stupa built by Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. Today only the foundations of this majestic tower can be seen due to the destruction, the remains of the Dharmarajika tower were moved to Varanasi to be used as building materials in the 18th century and jade relics found in the Dharmarajika stupa at this time. The relics were then scattered in the Ganges River.

Chaukhandi stupa marks the place where Buddha reunited with the five brothers Kieu Tran Nhu after Buddha attained enlightenment. In the Gupta period a brick tower erected on a high mound was originally built as a terraced temple, symbolizing Shakyamuni Buddha's meeting with his first disciples. Then in the 16th century, to commemorate the visit to the tower of Humayun - the 2nd emperor of the Mughal empire, an octagonal tower was further built on the terraced structure.

Visitors can visit Mulagandha Kuti Vihara vihara, the current Mulagandhakuti vihara is a monastery built in 1930. Mulaganda Kuti Vihara is a modern vihara - temple built with outstanding Buddhist architecture. . Visitors come here to listen to monks chanting Dharma teachings or admire Buddhist paintings. Visitors can also admire intricately sculpted statues of Brahmin and Hindu deities, and one of the oldest paintings of Buddha in the Sarnath Museum. Or see the statue of the Lion Capital Ashoka, a sculpture of four beautiful lions standing back to back.

Opening hours: 08:00 - 18:00