Sarnath
Photo: Nandanupadhyay (CC BY-SA 3.0)November: bestHalf day
Where the Buddha gave his first sermon: Dhamek Stupa, excavated monastery ruins and the museum with Ashoka's Lion Capital, 13 km from Varanasi.
A half-day trip from Varanasi. The museum is closed on Fridays.
November: Pleasant; peak season starts
When to go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Things to do
- Walk the Dhamek Stupa and excavated ruins
- See the Lion Capital at Sarnath Museum: Closed Fridays.
- Visit the Thai temple's standing Buddha
Top sights
Sarnath Museum
ASI museum holding the Lion Capital of Ashoka, India's national emblem; closed Fridays.
Dhamek Stupa
Massive stupa marking where the Buddha first taught the Four Noble Truths.
Chaukhandi Stupa
5th-century stupa where the Buddha met his five ascetic companions, topped by a later octagonal tower.
Maa Kaali & Bhagwan Shankar Temple
Hindu temple in Uttar Pradesh, India
Swarved Mahamandir
Hindu temple at Varanasi, India
Sarnath Jain Tirth
jain temple in the state of Uttar Pradesh
Chandrawati Jain temple
jain temple in the state of Uttar Pradesh
Chandrika Devi Temple, Lucknow
Hindu Temple in Uttar Pradesh, India
Nearby
Other destinations close to Sarnath.