Sunday 21 July 2013

A Heavenly Abode- Sarnath

The teachings and preaching’s of Lord Buddha has always left the follower in a tranquil state of mind. The deer park where Lord Gautama Buddha first imparted the Dharma, Sarnath, is a beautiful and quaint town located near Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This blissful location attracts innumerable Buddhism followers as part of their pilgrimage and also a number of tourists who want to explore this beautiful town. Sarnath plays a very important role in the life of a Buddhist because of its sheer significance to the Buddhist Dharma and the place where the Buddhist Sangha came to life. A visit to the Sarnath temples leaves you with a sudden peace of mind and makes you connect with your inner-self leaving you quiet inside. Sarnath or Isipatana is of great importance to not only Buddhists but also Jains alike. This is also said to the birth place of the 11th Tirthankar of Jainism, Shreyansanath and has a temple dedicated to him. It also holds great reverence among Jains as being one of the places of Pilgrimage.

If you looking at spending some quiet moments with yourself without any hindrance, Sarnath temples bring you that very tranquillity that you are seeking. The temples of Sarnath present an aesthetic look with wonderful simple architecture dating back to many centuries. The temples are a mix of Buddhist and Jain Religious sites and give you a very warm sense of spirituality when you visit them. The Sarnath Temple is believed to be built by the legendary Emperor Ashoka many centuries ago. It is said to be the place where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon called Dhammachakkapavattana. The temple compound constitutes of various stupas that are definitely worth a visit. Chaukhandi Stupa is said to be built by King Akbar in the 15th century and believed to be the very place where Lord Buddha met with his first five disciples. Dhamek Stupa contains remnants of the Lord himself and one can feel a mesmerizing quiet aura once inside this gigantic temple. Ashoka Pillar which is also the national emblem of India was constructed by King Ashoka depicting his rule and the sovereignty of Lord Buddha. Bodhi Tree is another revered point of worship as good as a temple and holds great importance amongst Buddhists. Mulagandhakuti Vihara is another modern temple complex built in the early 19th century and holds various antiques and relics from various places as well as a large Golden statue of Lord Gautama Buddha. The Japanese frescos along with a few Jain and Chinese temples are worth visiting while in Sarnath. The idyllic aura of Sarnath along with its marvellous medieval architecture of the temples and excavation sites leaves you with an immense sense of pride and serenity.

The temples of Sarnath depict the preaching’s of the Enlightened One and gives you an opportunity to cherish the beauty of this magnificent place with family and friends!

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