Sarnath

Sarnath, a Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Buddha gave his first sermon, 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi, India, thus considered the birthplace of Buddhism. Also the birthplace of 11th Jain Tirthankara, Shreyasanath.

Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath, originally built by King Ashoka in 249 BC.

Stupas

Dhamekh Stupa

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  Dhamek stupa, Sarnath.
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  Dhamekh Stupa
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  Dhamekh Stupa close-up
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  Dhamekh Stupa carvings
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  Restored parts of Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath.
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  Carvings at Dhamekh Stupa
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  History of Dhamekh Stupa on Stone.

Monastery ruins

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  Monastery around Dhamek stupa, Sarnath.
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  Ancient Buddhist monasteries near Dhamekh Stupa Monument Site, Sarnath.
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  Sarnath Monastry ruins
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  Sarnath ruins of Mulgandha Kuti vihara
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  Buddhist monastery near Dhamekh Stupa
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  Buddhist monasteries around Dhamekh Stupa
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  Mini stupas and remains of a monastery around Dhamekh Stupa
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  A pillar at the monasteries around the Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath.
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  Mini-Stupas
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  A relief depicting seven postures of meditation, near Dhamekh Stupa

Other Stupas

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  Dharmarajika Stupa from the pre-Ashokan Era.
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  Yasa Stupa.
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  Chaukhandi Stupa on a hill, Sarnath, commemorates the spot where the Buddha met his first disciples, dating back to the fifth century or earlier and later enhanced by the addition of an octagonal tower of Islamic origin.

Mulagandhakuti Vihara temple

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  Mulagandhakuti Vihara, Buddhist temple at Sarnath, next to the Dharmek stupa
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  Buddha at Mulagandhakuti Vihara shrine, Sarnath
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  Buddha from Mulgandha Kuti Vihar.

Ashoka Pillar

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  The base of the w:Ashoka pillar in Sarnath which was broken during Turk Islamic invasions, it was originally surmounted by the "Lion Capital of Ashoka" which is presently at display at the Sarnath Museum. This particular Lion Capital of Ashoka, originally atop this pillar in Sarnath has been adopted as the "National Emblem of India"
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  Sarnath Ashoka Pillar
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  Brahmi script on Ashoka Pillar, Sarnath.
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  Ashoka pillar signboard, Sarnath.

Deer Park

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  Bodhi Tree, related to "The Bodhi Tree", Sarnath, Mulgandhakuty Vihara Isipatana Deer Park, maintained by Mahabodhi Society.
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  Deers in Sarnath Deer Park.

Statues and art from Sarnath

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  The Buddha sits in 'European Posture' on a lion throne, his feet supported by a double lotus. His hands before his chest appear in the dharmachakramudra, the gesture associated with his First Sermon at Sarnath outside Benares in which he elucidated his doctrine, described as 'setting in motion the Wheel of the Law', in British Museum.
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  A statue depicting Buddha giving sermon, from Sarnath, now at Museum of Asian Art, Dahem Berlin.
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  Sculpture in buff sandstone: moustached male head. Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, Maurya, 3rd century BC at National Museum, New Delhi.
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  Main part of Buddha. Sarnath, 3rd quarter of the 5th century. Sandstone from Chunar, H. 98 cm. Musée des arts asiatiques - Guimet, Paris.

Sarnath Museum

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  Preaching Buddha (Dharmacakra mudrā). Gupta period. Sandstone, H. 160 cm. Archaeological Museum (ASI), Sarnath, India.
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  Lion capital was India, when it was excavated at Sarnath.

Shri digamber Jain Temple

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  Entrance to the Digambar Jain Temple enclousre, dedicated to Shreyansanath, the eleventh Jain Tirthankar, Sarnath.
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  Exterior of the Sridigamber Jain Temple, Singhpuri, Sarnath
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  Interior of the Jain Temple dedicated to Shreyansanath, the eleventh Jain Tirthankar, Sarnath.
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  Interior of the Jain Temple marking the birthplace of Shreyansanath, the eleventh Jain Tirthankar, Sarnath.