Sarnath the tranquil deep park at Sarnath is where the Buddha preached hid first sermon. Sarnath became one of the great center of Buddhism and the Emperor Ashoka erected magnificent stupas and structure here. The Chinese scholar Huien Tsang who to write of the splendor of the city. Rediscoverd and excavated in 1836, Sarnath is once again a place of pilgrimage where visitors come to pay homage to the great teacher. 

Area         : 2.80 sq. km.  
Altitude    : 80.71 mtrs. above sea level. 
Season     : August - March. 
Clothing    : Cottons (Summer), Winter: Woollens. 
Language : Hindi. 
Festivals   : Buddha Purnima (May), Kartik Purnima (Oct-Nov).  

Sightseeing

Dhamek Stupa

The imposing stupa 39m high was probably erected  in 200 B.C in the Mauryan era. Rebuilt a number of times, the geometric and flora patterns on the stupa belong to the later Gupta period.

Ashoka Pillar
Erected by the Emperor Ashoka, the pillar had his edict engraved on it. At one time it stood over 17m high. Its capital  with the four lions back to back-the official symbol  of modern India, can be seen in the museum at Sarnath.

Bodhi Tree
Grown from the sapling of the famous tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, which is believed to be a progeny of the original tree at Budh Gaya, under which the Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.