Sarnath, Buddhist pilgrimage site in Varanasi district, India
Sarnath is a major Buddhist site in the district of Varanasi in northern India, roughly 10 kilometers from the city. The grounds include an archaeological park with remains of monasteries, a museum holding sculptures from different centuries, and a large stupa made of brick and stone.
The Buddha gave his first sermon here after his enlightenment, setting the teaching in motion. Later an emperor in the third century before Christ supported the construction of pillars and buildings that turned the site into a center of learning.
The name Sarnath comes from the Sanskrit expression meaning 'Lord of the Deer' and recalls a royal park where animals once found shelter. Today you see monks from many countries in traditional robes walking quietly through the grounds or meditating under trees.
The complex opens in the early morning hours when the light is soft and fewer people are around. Paths are mostly flat and lead between the ruins, but some areas have uneven paving or low steps.
A fragment of an ancient pillar with only the base remaining shows polished surfaces and inscriptions preserved carefully over centuries. Gardeners have planted lawns and flower beds around the ruins that give the park a groomed appearance and add to the calm.
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