Just a few miles from Varanasi, Sarnath is one of the four main sites of Buddhism. Already renowned as a centre of learning, the deer park at Sarnath is where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment in the 3rd century BC, teaching the foundation of Buddhism. A large community of monks flourished here, and for centuries stupas and monuments were erected on the site. Although most of the monuments were destroyed by Muslim invaders in the 12th century, the remains can be seen on the site, including the impressive Dhamekh Stupa.
The most important monument in Sarnath was the pillar erected by King Ashoka, surmounted by the Lion Capital. This beautiful sculpture has survived until modern times to become the national symbol of India, incorporated into the Indian flag. It is preserved inside the site museum, along with other sculptures and finds from the region.
Temples and monasteries have been built around Sarnath by Buddhist countries, the most important of which being the Sri Lankan Mulagandhakuti Vihara. Nearby, a Bodhi tree was planted from a sapling taken from the Bodhi tree at Anuradnapurna in Sri Lanka, itself a cutting of the long-lost original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha achieved enlightenment.
