Located about 10 km from the holy city of Varanasi, Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh state of India is the place where Lord Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. One of the most venerated Buddhist places, Sarnath is among the four holiest sites of Buddhist pilgrimage in India. Understandably, there are several Holy Places in Sarnath Uttar Pradesh.
We at Indianholiday offer detailed information on Holy Places in Sarnath Uttar Pradesh.
Located at a distance of mere 10 km from the famous Hindu pilgrimage center Varanasi, Sarnath is perhaps, the naturally most beautiful Buddhist pilgrimage destination, with its calm and serene atmosphere that silently preaches peace and tranquility. The celebrated mantra (chant) ‘Buddham Sharanam Gachhami’ had its origin in Sarnath. Buddhists from worldwide herald India as the Land of Buddha, and for them any tour to this country definitely means including visits to the Holy Places in Sarnath India and other pilgrimage destinations associated with the Buddha’s memory.
Apart from Sarnath, the three other most sacred Buddhist centers in the Indian subcontinent are Lumbini in Nepal – the birthplace of Buddha, Bodhgaya in India – where he attained enlightenment, and Kushinagar in India – the site where he finally gave up his mortal self.
Tour to Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh is a must for any devout follower of Buddhism. Besides Buddhism, Sarnath is also associated with Jainism and is hence a revered destination for Jain pilgrims from far and wide. The Jain Temple at Sarnath is considered very sacred for Digambara Jains. The Holy Places in Sarnath Uttar Pradesh offer a distinctive spiritual release – by being different in form yet similar in spirit.
A land of inherent spirituality, Sarnath is a special pilgrimage site for Buddhists even today. Pilgrims from various corners of the world irrespective of the faith they follow embark on Pilgrimage Tours to Sarnath to visit the Holy Places in Sarnath Uttar Pradesh that are sacred to the memory of the Enlightened One – the Buddha.
Holy Places in Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh India also include quite a few new temples and monasteries representing almost every branch of Asian Buddhism from Thai to Tibetan. Besides, there are excavated ruins, an archeological museum and a Bo Tree, grown from the original Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment.
Most important among the Holy places in Sarnath Uttar Pradesh is the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, Sarnath. A modern temple constructed by the Mahabodhi Society in 1931, the temple houses magnificent murals depicting the life story of the Buddha. The silver casket in the temple is believed to have preserved within it the original relics of the Buddha.
The Digambara Jain Temple in Sarnath is also famous among the holy places in Sarnath Uttar Pradesh. Built in 1824, this temple is believed to mark the place where Shreyanshnath – the 11th Jain Tirthankara was born. The interiors of this temple bear some interesting frescoes, depicting the life of Mahavira – the founder of Jainism.
