Sarnath-(240 km from Bodh gaya)
Lord Buddha preached here his first historic sermon. Earliar Sarnath was called Rishipattan.The five disciples who followed him there were surprised to see the mesmerizing, glowing countenance of Buddha. They were now ready to address his disciples. This moment is know as Dharmachakra Paravartan. There is Dhamek Stupa, which signifies the ‘seat of the holy Buddha’. Emperaror Ashoka visited Sarnath in 273-232 B.C. Ashoka also erected a smooth glistening stone pillar here. The lion capital on top of this pillar is now National Emblem of India.
Varanasi
According to history, Varansi was founded by the god shiva. It is regarded as one of seven holy cities which can provide Moksha. Varansi was the centre of activity for intellectuals and theologians during the middle ages. Several major saint were born here, including Kabir, who hailed as the most outstanding of Bhakti movment and Ravidas was also born here. Ravidas was socio-religious reformer, mystic, poet, traveler and spiritual figure. Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world. It is called the city of ghats (river banks). Banaras hindu university is in varansi.
Kaushambi
Lord Buddha visited kaushambi many times the reign of Udayana on his effort to spread the dharma, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths. Udayana was a Buddhist upasaka. Emperror Ashoka gave importance to Kaushambi and placed a pillar in Kaushambi, which has inscriptions there in pali.
How to reach Sarnath:
Holy city Varanasi is nearest city of Sarnath. It is only 10 km away from Varanasi. One can reach to varanasi city by road, by train and by flight.
Air service
The nearest airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Babatpur. It is 22 km From Varanasi and 30 km from Sarnath. Direct flights for Varanasi are available from Delhi, Kathmandu (Nepal), Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, Agra, Bhuvaneshwar.
Phone Number
- Air India- 2622494, 2502527-547
- Jet Aieways – 2622577, 2622795
- Spice Jet – 2623081, 2623082
Rail
Sarnath is a small Railway Station but Varanasi and Mughal Sarai (Now PT. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Railway Station ) are two major rail junction with connection to rest of the country.
Phone Number
- Varanasi Railway Station – 139, 2504221
- PT. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Railway Station– 139, 05412-255782
Road
Varanasi is passing through National Highway (NH) 2 from Delhi to Kolkata, NH 7 from Varanasi to Kanyakumari and NH 29 from Varanasi to Gorakhpur is good connected to the rest of the country. Agra- 565 km, Allahabad-128 km, Bhopal- 791 km, Bodhgaya- 240 km, Kanpur- 330 km, Khajuraho -405 km, Lucknow- 286 km, Patna- 246 km, Sarnath-10 km.
Roadways bus Enquiry- 09415049623 .
Local Transport
Private Taxis are available from pre-paid taxi booth Babatpur Airport and Varanasi cant railway stn, travel agencies, hotels. The rate are negotiable, unmetred auto rickshawa, cycle rickshaws and tempos are also available.
