Sārnāth

Buddhism · near Vārāṇasī, Uttar Pradesh

Sārnāth, a few kilometres from Vārāṇasī, is where the Buddha gave his first teaching after his enlightenment, in the Deer Park, to five companions — an event Buddhists call setting in motion the Wheel of Dharma.

Visitors see the great Dhamek Stūpa, the ruins of ancient monasteries and the Mūlagandhakuṭī Vihāra with its murals. The lion capital of Aśoka found here, now in the site museum, is the national emblem of India. Sārnāth is also sacred to Jains, associated with the Tīrthaṅkara Śreyāṃsanātha.

Uttar Pradesh, India · Buddhism · Jainism · Dhamek Stūpa · Aśoka lion capital

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