Sarnath
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Deer park near Varanasi where the Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment, with the Dhamek Stupa and the Ashokan pillar.
Pilgrimage siteVaranasi districtBest time to visit: October to March; Buddha PurnimaUNESCO heritage 2026
Highlights
- Dhamek Stupa and Chaukhandi Stupa
- Remains of the Ashokan pillar and monasteries
- Sarnath Museum, home of the Lion Capital of Ashoka, adopted as India's State Emblem
- Mulagandha Kuti Vihara with modern murals
Significance
Here the Buddha first taught the Dharma, an event known as 'turning the wheel of the Dharma'. It is one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Sarnath was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2026.