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Sarnath, 8 km to the north-east of Kashi is the place where Buddhism first made its appearance. Siddhartha was born in Lumbini, attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya (528 B C) and preached the ideals of Buddhism amongst his five disciples in Sarnath which was the educational and cultural centre of Buddhist learning till the 12th century. In those days it was the abode of 1500Bhikshus.From the vivid accounts of the Chinese travellers Fa-Hein and Hieuen Tsang of the 5th & 7th centuries respectively, we gel to know of ils history. In those days it was named Rishipattan which originated from the Ashram's of the Rishis. Sarnath or Sarangnath was derived from Sarang or Mriga or Deer. In the newly constructed MrigUrUdyan there are various kinds of deer moving around amongst the mango-groves. Angered at the Buddha's acceptance of Pay as (rice pudding) from Sujata the milkmaid, 5 disciples abandoned him and came here for their religious discourses. Later on, Buddha had come here in search of them. The Buddhist Sangha had been for­med with his 60 disciples who went on missionary work to different places and directions to preach the ideals of Buddhism. The Buddhist Viharas were developed during the time of emperor Ashoka and the last monastery was built by Rani Kumaradevi of Varanasi in the year 1114-54. Ultimately Sarnath could no longer withstand the effects of Muslim raids between the 11th and 17th century and was lost in oblivion. But in the 18th century, Jagat Singh, the king of Varanasi discovered Sarnath and finally in 1836 on the findings of the British archaeologistsSarnath was rediscovered in a new shape.

Chowkhandi Stupa

Dhamek Stupa

Ashok Pillar

Mulgandha Kuti Vihara

Chinese Temple

Museum

Chandraprava Wildlife Game Sanctuary

Sasaram vily on Tantrism.