Sunday, 20 December 2015

Sarnath travel guide

Sarnath:


Sarnath is a small village in Uttar Pradesh, India, about 13 km north-east of Varanasi.

UnderstandEdit


Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath
Sarnath is famous as the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma and also where the original Sangha was formed. Consequently, it is one of the 4 main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations.
Within the deer park complex is the large Dhamekha Stupa, constructed by the Emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE, and several other Buddhist structures that were added between the 3rd century BCE and the 11th century CE.
The town is relatively peaceful and green, and provides a welcome accommodation alternative to those wishing to visit Varanasi but not be immersed in it 24 hours a day.

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By plane

Varanasi Airport (IATA: VNS) is 24 km from Sarnath and is the nearest airport.

By train

The nearest major station is Varanasi Cantt. (6 km), which is connected to most major cities in the country. Sarnath does have a small train station, but very few trains stop here.

By bus

Long distance buses usually arrive at the station across from the Varanasi Cantt train station, where you can transfer to a local bus to Sarnath, or take a taxi or rickshaw.

By taxi/rickshaw

The town is easily reached by taxi or auto rickshaw from Varanasi. If you're non-Indian and arriving in Varanasi by train, a taxi driver will probably descend on you before you leave your train platform. Make no commitment there! You can negotiate a better rate with an autorickshaw driver, outside the station. If you have tons of luggage though, go with the taxi -- it won't fit in the rickshaw. The route, though once somewhat rural, is now noisy, busy, and almost completely built up till you're on the road just outside Sarnath.

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SeeEdit

  • Dhamekh Stupa. Constructed by king Ashoka in 249 BCE to commemorate his pilgrimage to the Deer Park. It is believed that the stupa marks the exact spot where the Buddha taught the five ascetics the Four Noble Truths, his first teaching after attaining enlightenment.  edit
  • Chaukhandi Stupa. Constructed in the the 5th century, the stupa marks the spot where the Buddha met the five ascetics. The octagonal tower is of Islamic origin and a later addition.  edit
  • Mulagandhakuti Vihara. The ruins of the temple where the Buddha spent his first rainy season.  edit
  • Ashoka Pillar. Only the base remains.  edit
  • Sarnath Archeological Museum. A small, but impressive collection of artifacts excavated from the site. The sculptures are particularly of interest, including the Lion Capital of Ashoka- the national emblem of India. Remains closed on fridays.  edit
  • Sri Digamber Jain Temple. A Temple near Dhamekh Stupa. Accessible by main road that runs along Dhamekh Stupa. Learn about Digambara monasticism, a branch of Jain Dharma.  edit
Thai Temple, Japanese Temple, Chinese Temple, Burma Mandir, Indonesia Temple are other attractions
  • Jambu dvip srilanka budhist temple. (Near Radio station), (From rishipattan road to Ashoka road, right turn. after 50 m.). only srilanka temp

EatEdit

  • Highway Inn Restaurant, Ashapur crossing (about 1km from the center). Recommended for tasty masala lovers and eaters.  edit
  • Holiday Inn, Main road (opposite Mahabodhi Temple entrance). 11.00-18.00. One of 2-3 restaurants in Sarnath. Good food and reasonable prices. Opening hours limited and closed for holidays, weddings, funerals ehSarnateep

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  • Rishipattan vihar paying guest house (In front of jambu dvip shrilanka buddhist temple), Near Radio Station & suhal Dev tringle,rishipattan@rediffmail.com. (On Ashoka road from suhaldev traingle first right turn and again right turn .), ☎ 919415448503. checkout: 12PM. very clean and big rooms hot water in bathroom ,good parking ,good staff. homely. single bed Rs. 500 double bed Rs. 750 extra bed Rs. 100..  edit

Budget

  • Mahabodi Dharmshala Temple, Thai Temple and the Burmese Temple. All of these temples offer very cheap but spartan accommodation.
  • Jain Paying Guest House. Cheap and spartan, but with great family hospitality. Rs 300 per night, possibility of eating breakfast and lunch with the family (and Buddhist guests passing by).  edit
  • UPSTDC Rahi Tourist Bungalow, ☎ +91 (0542) 2595969 (fax: +91 (0542) 259-5379). A government run establishment - drab and uninspiring, but conveniently located.  edit

  • Raj Shanti Guest House, Near Tibeti University(Way to Sarnath), ☎ +91 9454894409,+91 9616379586 (), [1].Cheap and spartan, but with great family hospitality. Rs 500 per night, possibility of eating breakfast and lunch with the family (and Buddhist guests passing by).  edit

Mid range

  • The Golden Buddha Hotel, Sarangnath Colony, ☎+91-993-503-9368. Probably the best hotel in town. Offers such facilities as Ayurvedic massage, a restaurant serving fresh Indian dishes, a peaceful lawn, and outdoor hot tub. Special rates for backpacking groups. Its walking distance from the main temple. The hotel can arrange a taxi to pick you up from the train station or airport. Rs 400 -1200.  edit

RespectEdit

In the vicinity of sacred sites:
  • Wear clothing that expresses respect for the sacred nature of the site.
  • Circumambulate the stupa and other sacred objects in a clock-wise direction.
  • Preserve the peace and tranquility.
  • Do not climb onto statues or other sacred objects.




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Sarnath is amongst the four holy places associated with the life of Buddha the other three being Lumbini Nepal, BodhGaya Bihar and Kushinagar. After achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya he gave his first sermon to five companions at Sarnath. In Buddhist literature this is known as Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana i.e. the turning of the wheel of law. Sarnath is also an important place for the Jainas since the 11th Tirthankara died here. You see this stone inscription as you enter the Sarnath complex.You see the ruins that form part of the Sarnath complex. We were told learned men held discussions here.Stone inscription of Dhamekh Stupa. It reads ‘‘According to the inscription dated 1029ad recovered from the site its old name was Dharma Chakra Stupa. It perhaps commemorates the spot where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. In search of the relic casket Alexander Cunnigham bored vertical shaft through its center down to the foundation level and at a depth of 91.4 cms he found a slab with an inscription ‘Ye Dharma Hetu Prabhava Hetu’ written in the Bramhi script of 6-7th century ad. Further he traced out a stupa of Mauryan bricks. However, the present diameter of this sold cylindrical tower is 28.5 mtrs at the base and 33.35 mtrs in height. Its total height is 42.60 mtrs including the foundation structure consisting of a circular stone drum up to the height of 11.20 mtrs from the ground above which rises the cylindrical mass of brick work about 6 metres above the base. Eight niches are provided in eight directions which must have contained images of Buddha. Below them runs a broad course of beautifully carved stones having geometrical designs, swastika, leaf and floral patterns with birds and human figures’.According to tradition we did a Parikrama around the stupa. You see the Dhamekh Stupa.
As mentioned above the lower portion of the stupa has a broad course of beautifully carved stones having geometrical designs, swastika, leaf and floral patterns with birds and human figures. That is what you see.This is a board outside This Bodhi Tree and the Complex. Excerpts from the message ‘Emperor Ashoka’s daughter took a branch of the Buddhagaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree to Sri Lanka and planted it as Anuradhapura. In 1999 the Bodh Tree complex was widened by making space for meditation and Dhamma Sermons with 28 images of previous Buddhas around the Bodhi Tree beginning from Taranankara Buddha to Gautam Buddha, all said to have attained enlightenment under the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree at Buddhagaya’. Bhavatu Sabba Mangalam.You see the Bodhi Tree with icons of Lord Buddha giving sermons to the first five companions. Inscription title is Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta (The Wheel of Law). The first sermon of the Sakyamuni Buddha delivered at Isipatana Deer Park Sarnath.Another view of the Bodhi Tree, Lord Buddha with companions.
Various countries have made Buddhist temples inside the complex, each in a distinctive style i.e. unique to their country. You see Mula Gandhakuti Vihara made by a Sri Lankan Buddhist Angarika Dharampala (hope name is right) in 1931. He also started the Mahabodhi Society at Sarnath. Architect & Engr was Rai Saheb Hari Chand. The icon of Lord Buddha is gold plated. Different countries have different icons of Buddha. While I clicked other countries missed clicking Sri Lanka.You see Japanese Buddhist temple.You see two icons. The right hand side is Gautama Buddha who is already born. The left hand side is Maitra Buddha who is yet to be born.You see the Thai Buddhist temple.
You see Gautama Buddha ka icon. The Japanese show a cross legged sitting Buddha while the Thais show him with feet on a lotus.There is a museum there which houses the famous Ashokan Pillar which we could not see since we landed there on a Saturday when it is closed. You see a board next to fragments of the Ashokan Pillar. Errors or omissions are regretted.
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