Sarnath Tour

What :

Sarnath is one of the most sacred places on the planet for Buddhists. The Buddha is said to have given his first sermon at a deer park here after attaining enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya.

The first Buddhist monastery is believed to have been formed here, and under the patronage of the Buddhist King Ashoka many temples were built. The Dhamekh Stupa was built to commemorate Asoka’s first pilgrimage to one of the four most important Buddhist sites in the world. The stupa is supposed to mark the exact spot of The Buddha’s first sermon.

The Sarnath Archeological Museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts from throughout the area’s history including the 4 lion sculpture capstone of the Ashoka Pillar, which is used as the national emblem of India.

When :

The best weather in the region is from October through March. April to June the weather is hot, and July through September rains cool the region considerably.

Where :

Sarnath is about a 10 mile drive from Varanasi in the Northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Who :

Sarnath is one of the four most important Buddhist pilgrimage points in the world. The chance to experience the birthplace of one of the world’s oldest religions is one of the most memorable excursions on our luxury India tours.

Appropriate Attire :

Dress for warm weather with cool clothing, but keep in mind that many of the religious sites require the removal of shoes upon entrance. While visiting temples or other holy areas, dress conservatively by covering your shoulders and knees.