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Varanasi is better and popularly known as Banaras or Kashi. Varanasi has continued to be the ultimate destination of Hindu pilgrims. Sarnath, Varanasi is considered to be one of the favorite tourist destinations in Varanasi. Pilgrims who visit Varanasi never miss to pay a visit to Sarnath, Varanasi. LOCATION AND HISTORY OF SARNATH, VARANASI: Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath. It is at a distance of about ten kilometers from the sacred Varanasi. One can feel the famous Buddhist chanting, “Buddham Sharanam Gachhami” in the air of Sarnath. Budhha considered four places to be sacred for his followers. These places included Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, and Kushinagar along with Sarnath. Thus for the Buddhist pilgrims, Sarnath is one of the major sacred locations. Jainism is also associated with Sarnath, Varanasi. ATTRACTIONS AT SARNATH: Sarnath has a lot of Buddhist monuments and edifices to offer. Dhamekha stupa, Chaukhandi stupa are few of the monuments in Sarnath, Varanasi. Various schools of Buddhism from Japan, China, Thailand, and Burma are situated at Sarnath, Varanasi. Around the Buddhist temple there is a park. This park is conserved by a Buddhist society called Mahabodhi. Buddha’s tooth relic is conserved inside the temple. One can also find a whole lot of dilapidations at Sarnath, Varanasi. Among the Buddhist trails Sarnath contains the maximum amount of ruins. Between third to eleventh century B.C. various Buddhist structures were constructed at Sarnath. One of the most famous structures at Sarnath is the Ashokan Pillar. SARNATH MUSEUM: Numerous sculptures, arts, and other artworks on Lord Buddha are stored in the Museum of Sarnath. At Sarnath the department of Archeological Survey of India established a site Museum so as to accommodate and display the artifacts on Lord Buddha. One can find extraordinary samples of Buddhist works at this Museum. One can see the idol of meditating Buddha sitting in a crossed legged posture. An aura circumscribes his head. Several spectacular idols of Bodhisattva are also in display in the Museum. Again various collections from the Mauryan, Kushan and Gupta dynasties are stored in the Museum. Many idols of ancient Hindu deities are also on display at the Museum. They belong to the ninth and twelfth centuries. Varanasi is a centre of education and civilization for ages. It is also a remarkable tourist spot for its cultural heritage, historical background which attracts several tourists at Varanasi.
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