9 Best Places To Visit In Sarnath

If you are in Varanasi and want to visit a place the is quieter and ancient, you must visit Sarnath, which is just 7 kms away from Varanasi. This Sarnath Guide will provide information about ancient Stupas and temples will enlighten your journey like never before! Sarnath is a place where Buddha himself delivered his first sermon.

In this Guide, we will discover places to visit for sightseeing, best places to eat and stay, and an ideal itinerary to visit Sarnath.

9 Best Places to Visit in Sarnath

Discover unique places to visit in Sarnath, Buddhism’s peaceful heart! Explore ancient temples, learn Buddha’s wisdom, and find inner peace at these amazing spots: Dhamek Stupa, Mulagandhakuti Vihara, and more!

Dhamek Stupa

Dhamek Stupa, also known as Dhamekh Stupa or Dhamekha Stupa, is one of the most renowned Buddhist stupas and is one of the most visited places in Sarnath have been built in the 3rd century BCE by Emperor Ashoka, marking the site where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.

The stupa stands tall at 43.6 meters and is a cylindrical structure made of bricks and stones. Its lower part is adorned with stunning carved stones, depicting various Buddhist symbols and narratives.

Dhamek Stupa is located at the Archaeological Buddhist Remains of Sarnath and is considered as one of the holiest places for Buddhists all over the world.

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Best time to visit: September to January (Winter Months)

Opening hours: The Dhamek Stupa is open every day from sunrise to sunset.

Entry fees:

Indian citizens and visitors of SAARC and BIMSTEC nations: ₹5
Foreigners: ₹100
Children below 15 years of age: Free

Mulagandhakuti Vihara

Mulagandhakuti Vihara is believed to be the site of Buddha’s residence during his time in Sarnath, built and rebuilt over centuries.

It is also known as the “Fragrance Chamber.”

Located within the Sarnath Archaeological Park.

Houses a Buddha statue and other religious relics.

Offers a serene atmosphere for meditation and contemplation.

Entry Fees: free for Indian citizens, and a fee of ₹50 for foreign citizens.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Chaukhandi Stupa

The Chaukhandi Stupa, located in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India, is a Buddhist monument with a rich history.

While its origins are debated, it is believed to have been built between the 5th and 8th centuries AD.

Initially a terraced temple, it was later modified to its current form, a high earthen mound encased in brickwork and topped by an octagonal tower, by Govardhan, son of Raja Todar Mal, in the 16th century.

The stupa commemorates the reunion of Buddha with his five disciples after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.

Declared a monument of national importance in 2019, the Chaukhandi Stupa is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Entry Fees: Free for Indian nationals, INR 300 for foreign nationals

Opening Hours: Sunrise to sunset, all days of the week.

Sarnath Archaeological Museum

The Sarnath Archaeological Museum, established in 1910, is the oldest site museum of the Archaeological Survey of India.

It houses a vast collection of artifacts and sculptures excavated from Sarnath, dating from 3rd century BCE to 12th century AD.

The museum building itself is designed to resemble a Buddhist monastery, in keeping with the character of the artifacts displayed.

Entry Fees: Free entry for Indian citizens, ₹50 for foreign citizens.

Opening Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM (Closed on Fridays)

Thai Temple

The Thai Temple, also known as Wat Thai Sarnath Temple, is a beautiful Buddhist temple located in Sarnath, India. Built in 1933 by Thai dignitaries, it’s a recent addition to the many historical Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Sarnath.

The temple is known for its stunning Thai architecture, manicured gardens, and a towering 80-foot statue of Buddha in a standing position. The construction of this statue is said to have taken over a decade.

Opening Hours: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Entry Fee: Free entry.

Tibetan Temple

Built in 1955, the Tibetan Temple, also known as the Lhadhan Chotrul Monlam Chenmo Monastery, was the first monastery established in India by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

It serves as a significant pilgrimage site and cultural center for the Tibetan community in India.

Opening Hours: The Tibetan Temple is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Entry Fee: Entry is free. However, donations are welcome to support the upkeep of the temple.

Japanese Temple

The Japanese Temple (Nichigai Suzan Horinji Temple) in Sarnath is a modern Buddhist temple that symbolizes strong ties between India and Japan. Built in the 1970s, it reflects traditional Japanese architecture, including a striking double-story pagoda. Sarnath is a revered Buddhist pilgrimage site because it’s where Gautama Buddha is believed to have first taught the Dharma.

The temple’s serene atmosphere and elegant grounds attract visitors interested in both Buddhism and Japanese culture. The main temple houses a beautiful wooden statue of the reclining Buddha, crafted from sandalwood.

Opening Hours– The Japanese Temple in Sarnath is open daily:

Summer Timings (April to September): 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Winter Timings (October to March): 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entry Fees– The entry fee to the Japanese Temple is nominal, often around 10-20 Indian Rupees.

Deer Park

The Deer Park in Sarnath, also known as Isipatana, holds immense historical significance for Buddhists worldwide.

It is believed that after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya, Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon, “The Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Dharma,” to five disciples here in the 5th century BCE.

This event marked the beginning of the Buddhist Sangha, or the community of Buddhist monks and nuns.

The Deer Park derives its name from the presence of deer in the area and served as a sanctuary for them.

The name “Sarnath” itself comes from the Sanskrit word “Sāranganātha,” which translates to “Lord of the Deer.“

Opening Hours: The Deer Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Entry Fees:

The entry fee for foreign tourists is ₹150.
Indian citizens and citizens of SAARC countries pay ₹15.
Children below the age of 15 are free of charge.

Places to Stay in Sarnath

It is advisable to stay in Varanasi and take a whole day trip to Sarnath as a single day is enough to explore Sarnath.

However, if you wish to stay in Sarnath for a longer time, here are our top 5 hotels in Sarnath that are within the radius of a kilometer from the city center and under INR 1500 on a sharing basis.

Places to Eat in Sarnath

There are limited options available to eat in Sarnath. However, they offer various cuisines like north indian, south indian, tibetan, and chinese.

You can try Sarnath’s street food such as samosa, chaat, lassi, etc.

Popular choices include Vaishali Restaurant, Friend’s Corner Tibetan Restaurant, and the Green Hut.

Here are the top 10 restaurants in and around Sarnath!

Suggested Itinerary for Sarnath

It is suggested to spend a day in Sarnath if you are already staying in Varanasi. All the attractions in Sarnath are very close to each other.

If you are someone who loves to explore on foot, it is a heaven for you. All the attractions are within 3-4 kms in total.

Start your day at CHaukhandi Stupa. Explore the octagonal tower added by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the memory of Humayun.
Head towards Tibetan and Thai temples. Experience the serene atmosphere and intricate details of these temples
Lunch break for an hour
Spend your late afternoon in the Dhamek Stupa complex. Visit the Deer park.
Pay a visit to Sarnath Museum.
Lastly, relish the street food flavors and explore Sarnath market to get your hands on souvenirs.
If you have time, take a short trip to Lamhi village, the birthplace of renowned Hindi and Urdu writer Munshi Premchand. Explore his ancestral home and learn about his life and literature.
If you plan to stay in Sarnath for a couple of days then visit Sarai Mohana village, known for its weaving community specializing in creating the famed Banarasi silk sarees. Witness the traditional weaving process and explore the vibrant textiles.

How to reach Sarnath from Varanasi

Sarnath is just 10kms away from Varanasi making it easier to commute.

There are several trains that go to Sarnath From Varanasi and take almost 10 minutes to reach.

You can catch an auto from Varanasi that may cost you INR 200-300 per auto, that can show you around Sarnath.

You can also hire a guide for around INR 100. Know that these guides work majorly on commissions on the handloom souvenirs you may buy.

Read also->>> Top 15 Temples in Varanasi You Must Not Miss!

Tours from Varanasi to Sarnath

You can easily plan this one day getaway to Sarnath from Varanasi for cheaper rates. However, for larger groups you may always opt for planned tours where every aspect is taken care of.

Here are our top 3 picks for Sarnath Tours from Varanasi–

P. S. Prices and timings may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, you may want to contact the official websites before your visit.

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