Sarnath Excursion from Varanasi

Overview

Trip Highlights

• Sightseeing as per the Itinerary
• Both way Transfer by Private air condition Car
• Bottled water
• Minimum Driver Allowance

Itinerary Details

• Day 1 Arrival at the city of Sarnath, Varanasi

  Morning on time pick-up from Varanasi Hotel and meet our Tour Escort, to proceed for the excursion tour of Sarnath (Approx. 10 Kms away from Varanasi).

  Visit Sarnath, which is the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon, after attaining Enlightenment. Here in the Deer Park, he delivered his first sermon, set in motion the Wheel of Law (Maha-Dharmachakra Pravartan). The Emperor Ashoka (c 304 – 232 BC), who spread the Buddha’s message of love and compassion throughout his vast empire, visited Sarnath around 234 BC, and erected a stupa here.

  Several Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD, and today it presents the most expansive ruins amongst places on the Buddhist trail. The ruins, the museum and temple are all within walking distance.

  Dhamekha Stupa:
  The stupa is the most impressive structure in Sarnath. Built around 500AD the excavations have revealed that some earlier construction was present at the site. The stupa is a place where one can see the devoted Buddhists circumambulating the structure, Ashoka might have built the stupa to earmark the Dharmachakrapravartana to five ascetics

  Chaukhandi:
  The first impression of the ancient Buddhism monuments while one enters Sarnath from Varanasi, this Chaukhandi was built to mark the meet of Lord Buddha with his five companions. Todar Mal added an octagonal tower to the structure to commemorate the arrival of Emperor Akbar to the city in 1588.

  Asokan Pillar:
  This Pillar is the national emblem of India, presents a splendid representation of art during Ashoka’s period, and the Asoka Wheel down the base adorns the Tricolor national flag
  The pillar also records the visit of Ashoka to Sarnath. The year of his visit is said to be around mid 3rd century BC. It is interesting to note that at one time, the Ashoka Pillar of Sarnath stood over 17 meters in height. Its capital with the four lions back to back that has been adopted as the official emblem of modern India can be seen in the museum at Sarnath. If you are in Sarnath, don’t miss this pillar.

  The Monasteries:
  The Buddhist temple built only in 1931, claims to have Buddha’s original relics. Moreover, the temple houses some of the most interesting mural paintings depicting the story of Buddha’s life.

  The Digambar Jain temple:
  Associated to Shreyanshnath, a Jain Tirthankar, this temple famous among the Jain community and good for visualizing some interesting paintings and sculptures depicting the life of Lord Mahavira.

  Schedule:

  Departure Time

  0900 Hrs (Or any other time till 1500hrs)

  Pickup Point

  From your hotel lobby in Varanasi

  Return Details

  Drop Back to your hotel in Varanasi