Sarnath (along with Bodhgaya and Kushinagar in India and Lumbini in Nepal) is one of the four most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in the world. It has special significance because it’s the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon. However, you don’t have to be Buddhist to enjoy visiting it. Sarnath also makes a peaceful and refreshing side trip from Varanasi. Many people are surprised to discover Sarnath has Jain and Hindu connections too. Find out what you need to know to visit in this guide.
How to Visit Sarnath
Sarnath is located about 8 miles northeast of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Travel time is about 30-40 minutes, making it an easy half-day trip from Varanasi. There are various ways of getting there, depending on your budget.
Avoid visiting Sarnath on Fridays because the museum is closed. Some monuments require tickets, which can be purchased online from the Archeological Survey of India or at the ticket office at the entrance.
What to See in Sarnath
The main attraction is the Dhamekh stupa complex, where the excavated ruins are located. It’s set in a landscaped park and contains the well-preserved Dhamekh Stupa (at the spot where the Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon), plus the remains of Buddhist monasteries, the Ashoka Pillar, and Dharmarajika Stupa. The complex is open daily from dawn until dusk. Tickets for foreigners cost 300 rupees (cash) or 250 rupees (cashless). Indians pay 25 rupees (cash) or 20 rupees (cashless).
A new high-tech sound and light show, inaugurated in November 2020, takes place every evening from 7.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the park at Dhamekh stupa. It narrates Lord Buddha’s life and teachings in the enchanting baritone voice of popular Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan.
Best Time To Visit
Due to its location near the Tropic of Cancer, Sarnath enjoys a comfortable winter but a hot summer. During winter, the mercury can dip to as low as 10°C at night and the daytime temperature remains around 20°C.
Summer brings a less comfortable weather situation. Begining in April and continuing through June, it is extremely dry and daytime temperatures often climb up to 45°C.
In late June or early July, the monsoon season brings torrential rains and high humidity. Fortunately, the temperatures normally remain under 37°C, although uncomfortably humid.
How To Reach
By Air – The nearest airport is Babatpur 30 km away from where one can take daily flights to Delhi, Calcutta, Bhubaneswar, Kathmandu, and Patna.
By Rail – Sarnath is a halt on the Northern Railway network and several of the trains, which cross Varanasi, stop here. From Varanasi direct trains are available for almost all the major cities of India.
By Road – Sarnath is 9.6 km by road from Varanasi, and is linked by road. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.