Sarnath Buddhist Tourism
Situated in Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath is one most-visited place in the Buddhist tourism circuit. This door to sanctity is believed to be the place of Lord Buddha, where He delivered his first holy doctrine after attaining enlightenment. Besides, the name of the place is derived from Saranganatha, Lord of the Deer.
Attractions in Sarnath not only highlights Buddhism but travelers can enjoy a close glimpse of the events related to the erstwhile Emperor Ashoka.
Major Attractions in Sarnath
Dhamekha Stupa
It is one of the marvelous edifices in Sarnath. The stupa is cylindrical in shape and measures about 31.3 m high and 28.3 in diameter. Its lower portion is adorned with beautiful stone carvings of Gupta period. Buddhist believe to move around the Stupa and chant the mantra of ‘Om mani padme hum’.
Choukhandi’s Stupa
On entering Sarnath, one can start their jouney with enjoying the view of Choukhandi Stupa, built by Emperor Ashoka in 1555 A.D. The sacred place is said to be the meeting point of Lord Buddha with his five disciples. The massive Ashoka pillar in the Sarnath museum highlights the visit of Emperor Ashoka to Sarnath. Besides, one can also find images of Lord Buddha, Bodhisattva and artifacts of Mauryan, Gupta and Kushan periods.
Digambara Jain Temple
Constructed in 1824, this Jain temple is located southwest of the Dhamekh Stupa. Devotees, believe that it is the sacred place where, 11th Jain tirthankara was born. The interior of the temple is decorated with frescoes, which clearly depicts the life of Lord Mahavir, the founder of Jainism.
Best Time to Visit:
Geographically, Sarnath is located near the Tropic of Cancer. During summer, the place bears temperature soaring high up to 45 degree Celsius during winter, while in monsoon it experience torrential rain and high humidity. Therefore, the best time to plan a Sarnath trip is from October to March.
How to reach:
By Air:
The airport in Varanasi is the nearest aerodrome to Sarnath. Regular flights are operated by public and private airlines, which connects Delhi, Mumbai, Khajurao and other major cities in India.
By Rail:
The rail heads in Varanasi connects Sarnath with the major places in Uttar Pradesh and its neighboring places.
By Road:
Sarnath is just 10 kms away from Varanasi. It is one of the popular tourist destinations in Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, regular state transport buses and private tourist coaches help travelers reach the place.
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Author: Mithi Dey
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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