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Sarnath stands at the third position out of the four holy Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in India. This Buddhist pilgrimage destination is located 13 Km away from Varanasi which falls in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Sarnath has gained importance as a religious and cultural place since the 3rd century B.C. and till today a large number of people from all around the world visit it with great enthusiasm. It is said that at this place Lord Buddha had attained nirvana and used to spread religious messages amongst the people. This serene land is a house of historic monuments and glorious stupas which were built under the rule of King Ashoka.
Other Tourist Attractions:
- The Stupas
Sarnath is famous for its Stupas which were built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C. The stupas have delicate floral carvings on them and consist of bricks with a diameter of 93 feet and a height of 128 feet and stone cuts. Choukhandi Stupa is the place where Buddha met his disciples.
- Mulagandha Kuti Vihara
The Sri Lankan Mahabodhi society built the holy Mulgandha Kuti Vihar which is a Tibetan-Buddhist monastery in the year 1930. The shrine is located within the Sarnath region just behind the Deer Park. The interior decoration of the monastery is beautified due to the golden-colored idol of Lord Buddha. At the main entrance of the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar a huge Japanese bell is located. The monastery gains more attraction because of the presence of the magnificently painted and colored murals which are worth seeing.
- Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological museum of Sarnath has a historic collection of articles which reflects the existence of Lord Buddha. The museum also conserves Lion capital of Ashokan Pillar and the moving wheel of dharma. The museum also consists of a library called the Mahabodhi library which has a huge collection of Buddhist manuscripts and writings.
Travel Route:
- Airways: The nearest airport is Babatpur which is just 30 Km from the town. Another nearby airport is Varanasi and there are regular flights from here.
- Railway: Varanasi railway station is closest at a distance of only 10 km.
- Roadways: The State transport buses, private buses and taxi services are available to reach Sarnath and the nearby areas.
Climate & Best time to Visit:
Since Sarnath is situated near the Tropic of Cancer the place experiences a moderate winter weather and very hot days in summer season. The temperature in winter ranges between 20°C to 10°C. On the other hand the temperature in summer goes up to 45°C which is the highest. The rainy season starts in the month of June and continues till September. The best time to visit the Sarnath Monastery is between the months of October to March.
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