Tuesday, September 29, 2009
SARANATH
One of the most revered Buddhist pilgrim centers in India, Saranath in Uttar Pradesh state is famous as the site where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Sarnath is one of the four holiest sites of Buddhist pilgrimage in India, and hence, Tours to Sarnath Uttar Pradesh are a must for devout followers of the Buddha. Buddhists from worldwide herald India as the Land of Buddha, and any visit to this country definitely means including tours to Sarnath and the other pilgrimage destinations sacred to the memory of the Enlightened One. Besides Sarnath, the other three sacred Buddhist centers in the Indian subcontinent are Lumbini in Nepal – the birthplace of Buddha, Bodhgaya in India – where he attained enlightenment, and Kushinagar in India – the site where he finally gave up his mortal self. | |
Located about 10 km to the north east of Varanasi – the cultural capital of India, Sarnath is also referred by names like Mrigadava, Migadaya, Rishipattana, Isipatana. It is believed that after attaining enlightenment, Gautama Buddha came to Sarnath to a cool and tranquil forest teeming with deer. It is at this deer park of Sarnath where the Lord preached his first discourse. Thus was set in motion the ‘Wheel of the Dharma’. Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh also marks the site where the first Buddhist Sangha or order came into existence. History has it that Emperor Ashoka, who took several measures to spread the Buddha’s message of love and compassion throughout his vast empire, had embarked on a tour to Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh around 234 B.C., and he erected a stupa here. While on tours to Sarnath Uttar Pradesh we will see several stupas, excavated ruins of age old monasteries, the deer park besides various other interesting sites. Several Budhist structures were constructed at Sarnath between the 3rd century B.C. and 11th century A.D., and today the town showcases the most extensive ruins amongst holy sites on the Buddhist trail. One of the must visit sites on our Sarnath Tour is the Dhamek Stupa – built during 5th -6th century to commemorate the spot where the Buddha preached his first sermon. Another ruined stupa worth visit is the Dharmarajika Stupa, believed to have been built by Emperor Ashoka during the 3rd century B.C. The Sarnath Museum exhibits a rich collection of Buddhist sculptures, heralded among the fines embodiments of Buddhist art. Sarnath is considered, as one of the richest place to have antiques from the Ashoka period, to the 12th century. After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha came to Sarnath, where he gave his first sermon preaching the middle path for attaining Nirvana. In the sylvan surroundings of a deer park, he initiated his first five disciples into the Buddhist monk hood. Here began one of the greatest religions of the world. Realising the sanctity of the site, Emperor Ashoka erected the magnificent Dharmarajika stupa surmounted by the pillar. This pillar with four lions today forms the national emblem of India. Sarnath has many more ruins of monasteries and stupas of which the 34-metre-high Dhamekh stupa is the most imposing with intricate and delicate floral motifs. Forgotten for centuries, Sarnath was excavated by British archaeologists in 1836. Sarnath derives its name from Saranganatha (Lord of the Deer). On the day before his attaining Nirvana, the Buddha named Sarnath, along with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar as the four places that his followers should consider sacred. Sarnath was at its peak when the indefatigable Chinese traveller Fa Xien, visited it in the 5th century AD. When Hiuen Tsang, another Chinese traveller, dropped by in 640 AD, Sarnath had 1500 priests, a stupa nearly 100m high, mighty stone pillar of Ashoka and many other wonders. The city was known as the Deer Park, after the famous sermon of Buddha. Soon after, Buddhism went into decline and when Muslim invaders destroyed and desecrated the buildings of the city, Sarnath became little more than a shell. It was not until 1836 when British archaeologists started excavations that Sarnath regained, some of its part glory. It is now a major Buddhist centre. On the day of Buddha Purnima, which is the new moon day in April/May, a big fair is held both in Sarnath and nearby Varanasi. It is to celebrate the day of the birth of Buddha, Nirvana and Death. In ancient Sarangnath or Sarnath, Buddha set the great Wheel of Law (Dharmachakra) in motion here, more than 2,500 years ago by revealing to the world his Eight fold path - the path to end sorrow, achieve inner peace, enlightenment and ultimate Nirvana. Built in the 5th-6th century AD, the Dhamekh Stupa is the tallest of the stupas (hemispheric Buddhist funerary mound). The fine quality of brickwork is more than evident in this stupa, which has a high cylindrical dome. The region once housed 3,000 monks. Remains of the Dharmarajika Stupa set up by Asoka; his Sarnath pillar edict and ruins of temples and monasteries and the spot where the Emperor meditated in seclusion; takes one back to the heydays of the Mauryan empire. The remains of an ancient monastery can still be seen here. ASHOKA PILLAR - Standing in front of the main shrine are the remains of Ashoka's Pillar. At one time this stood over 20 meters high, but today the capital has been removed and can be seen in the Sarnath museum. | |
