The other day, I went to Varanasi to visit its many temples and ghats. When the time came to return back, someone suggested that I visit the nearby Sarnath. Since I had a day to spare, I decided to go by their advice. I took a taxi and reached Sarnath, which is located just 13 km away from Varanasi, in just half an hour.

Sarnath, situated near Varanasi in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations of India. Aso called Isipatana and/or Mrigadava, it was at Sarnath that Lord Buddha gave his first sermon and gave teachings from Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. It was at Sarnath that Buddha spent his first rainy season after receiving enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. It was at here that the Buddhist Sangha first came into existence.

The Buddhist ruins, museum, temple, and serene and calm atmosphere of Sarnath attract the Buddhists and the general travellers to the place in great numbers. When the famous Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang had visited Sarnath, he had found about 1500 monks studying the Hinayana form of Buddhism there. Even though Sarnath was vandalized by the Turkish Muslims in the 12th century AD, it managed to retain much of its glory and significance.

Sarnath is actually a small village with the much famous Deer Park where Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon. In the Deer Park at Sarnath, the magnificent Dhamekh Stupa, built by the Buddhist Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC, stands majestically. Other Buddhist structures, built between the 3rd century BC and 11th century AD, also exist in the park.
If you are spiritually inclined and revel in serene and calm environments, then Sarnath would certainly intrigue you. The place may not be as famous as Varanasi but it certainly has its own importance and place in the hearts of those inspired by religion and spiritualism.