Sarnath

Dhamek stupa, Sarnath.

Dhamekh Stupa close-up

Dhamekh Stupa carvings

Restored parts of Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath.

Carvings at Dhamekh Stupa

History of Dhamekh Stupa on Stone.

Monastery around Dhamek stupa, Sarnath.

Ancient Buddhist monasteries near Dhamekh Stupa Monument Site, Sarnath.

Sarnath Monastry ruins

Sarnath ruins of Mulgandha Kuti vihara

Buddhist monastery near Dhamekh Stupa

Buddhist monasteries around Dhamekh Stupa

Mini stupas and remains of a monastery around Dhamekh Stupa

A pillar at the monasteries around the Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath.

Mini-Stupas

A relief depicting seven postures of meditation, near Dhamekh Stupa

Dharmarajika Stupa from the pre-Ashokan Era.

Yasa Stupa.

Chaukhandi Stupa on a hill, Sarnath, commemorates the spot where the Buddha met his first disciples, dating back to the fifth century or earlier and later enhanced by the addition of an octagonal tower of Islamic origin.

Mulagandhakuti Vihara, Buddhist temple at Sarnath, next to the Dharmek stupa

Buddha at Mulagandhakuti Vihara shrine, Sarnath

Buddha from Mulgandha Kuti Vihar.

The base of the w:Ashoka pillar in Sarnath which was broken during Turk Islamic invasions, it was originally surmounted by the "Lion Capital of Ashoka" which is presently at display at the Sarnath Museum. This particular Lion Capital of Ashoka, originally atop this pillar in Sarnath has been adopted as the "National Emblem of India"

Sarnath Ashoka Pillar

Brahmi script on Ashoka Pillar, Sarnath.

Ashoka pillar signboard, Sarnath.

Bodhi Tree, related to "The Bodhi Tree", Sarnath, Mulgandhakuty Vihara Isipatana Deer Park, maintained by Mahabodhi Society.

Deers in Sarnath Deer Park.

The Buddha sits in 'European Posture' on a lion throne, his feet supported by a double lotus. His hands before his chest appear in the dharmachakramudra, the gesture associated with his First Sermon at Sarnath outside Benares in which he elucidated his doctrine, described as 'setting in motion the Wheel of the Law', in British Museum.

A statue depicting Buddha giving sermon, from Sarnath, now at Museum of Asian Art, Dahem Berlin.

Sculpture in buff sandstone: moustached male head. Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, Maurya, 3rd century BC at National Museum, New Delhi.

Main part of Buddha. Sarnath, 3rd quarter of the 5th century. Sandstone from Chunar, H. 98 cm. Musée des arts asiatiques - Guimet, Paris.

Preaching Buddha (Dharmacakra mudrā). Gupta period. Sandstone, H. 160 cm. Archaeological Museum (ASI), Sarnath, India.

Lion capital was India, when it was excavated at Sarnath.

Entrance to the Digambar Jain Temple enclousre, dedicated to Shreyansanath, the eleventh Jain Tirthankar, Sarnath.

Exterior of the Sridigamber Jain Temple, Singhpuri, Sarnath

Interior of the Jain Temple dedicated to Shreyansanath, the eleventh Jain Tirthankar, Sarnath.

Interior of the Jain Temple marking the birthplace of Shreyansanath, the eleventh Jain Tirthankar, Sarnath.