Varanasi : What to expect

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Varanasi   was my first introduction to India, and although people say it isn’t a good idea to go write about Varanasi first, I’m so glad that Varanasi was the first place I experienced in India. However, people often say that arriving in Varanasi can be a little overwhelming. You will be greeted by chaos, color and the feeling of stepping back in time. Varanasi is a wonderful place to visit and I recommend anyone who visits India to experience Varanasi if you can. If you are planning a trip to Varanasi, here is what to expect. Ganga River Introduction to this Holy City:- Varanasi is  India ‘s oldest city, located along the banks of the famous River Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in North East India. Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and is dripping in history and spirituality. It is one of the seven Hindu and Janist holy cities, or  Sapta Puri,  in India. Buddhism is said to have been founded in Varanasi as well. Varana...
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Sarnath- where Buddha turned the wheel of Dharma

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Dhamekh Stupa at Sarnath Buddhist ruins
Sarnath archaeological ruins and Dhamekh Stupa in the background
Most popular excursion from Varanasi is Sarnath. Another sacred place where Buddha turned the wheel of Dharma. Buddha delivered his first sermon in a deer park just outside of city of Kashi. He probably chose this place as it was an important crossroads of that time, an established religious and commercial hub of those days. People who visit Sarnath doesn't realize it was an important place for the believers of Lord Shiva. Sarnath- as it is called today is the short form for Saranganatha which means Lord of deer, ie another name of Lord Shiva. Though Sarnath is popular as Buddhist pilgrim center the name came from a small shrine dedicated to Saranganatha which is a KM away from the popular imposing Dhamekh stupa. That is how there was a deer park in this place. On Hindu auspicious days this temple gets many visitors otherwise is a very quiet place.

Standing Buddha statue at Sarnath
Standing Buddha Staue and the motifs representing four sacred Buddhist places

It seems the mantra- "Buddham sharanam gachchami" was originated in Sarnath. Being one of the four sacred Buddhist pilgrim centers Sarnath is where Buddha delivered his first sermon. Other three being Lumbini in Nepal where Buddha (then Prince Siddhartha) was born, Bodhgaya in Bihar where he attained enlightenment under the mahabodhi tree and Khushinagar in Uttar Pradesh where he entered into mahanirvana. Starting from Emporer Asoka's days ie 3rd century BC till 11th century AD Buddhist structures were raised in Sarnath, ruins of which we see till today. Most imposing structure of all is the Dhamekh stupa which might have been built around early centuries AD. Monuments in Sarnath are in the list of tentative UNESCO World Heritage Sites and also a ASI protected monuments. So, unlike Varanasi Sarnath ruin sites are maintained very well and clean.
Mulagandha Kuti ruins at Sarnath
Original Mulagandha Kuti

From Dashashwamedha Ghat, Varanasi I took three shared autorikshaws to reach Sarnath, about 13KM. There are guides who approach you to show around for Rs.20 if you ignore they are even ready to drop the price to Rs.5. I felt sorry for him and paid Rs.10 for his services to show me around the garden and taking a picture of me. Though I got better information including a map from the tourism center located right opposite to the archaeological museum. Good thing about Sarnath is- it is a small place with all the tourist attractions are in walkable distance. There are Buddhist temples representing different countries like Tibet, Japan, China, Thailand, Korea and Sri Lanka. No matter what for tourists the major attraction is the Dhamekh Stupa.

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