Not far from Varanasi is the city of Sarnath, one of four holy Buddhist sites that Buddha sanctioned himself for pilgrimage. The others being Lumbini (birth) in Nepal, Bodh Gaya (enlightenment) and Kushingar (death) in India. After Buddha attained enlightenment he came here to preach his message. In the 3rd century Emperor Ashoka had stupas and monasteries erected.  Muslim invaders sacked the city in the late 12th century, Sarnath disappeared but was rediscovered by British archaeologists in 1835.

After the crowded and chaotic Varanasi, Sarnath is so clean and well kept, a breathe of fresh air. Beautiful gardens and green spaces to walk around and enjoy. We start at the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar constructed by Sri Lanka’s Maha Virgo Society 1931.

Bodhi tree, planted from a sapling taken from the Sri Maha Bodhi tree of Anuradhapurai, Sri Lanka  ( oldest religious tree in the world) planted 1931

Prayer wheel

Beautiful frescoes on the wall showing the life of Buddha 

Close by ruins unearthed mid 19th century included once-magnificent stupas, shrines and monasteries

Dhamekha Stupa where Buddha delivered his first sermon

Wat Thai Sarnath Temple built by the Thai community

Big Buddha given by Thai government.

A beautiful place to take time to reflect and meditate.