Ancient Buddhist archaeological ruins at Sarnath near Varanasi, India
Visitors explore the ancient brick ruins of Sarnath, the sacred Buddhist site near Varanasi where Buddha delivered his first sermon in the 3rd century BCE.
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The Birthplace of Buddhist Dharma
Sarnath stands as one of Buddhism's four holiest pilgrimage sites, where Siddhartha Gautama first taught the Dharma after achieving enlightenment. The weathered brick foundations visible today mark what were once thriving monasteries and stupas from the 3rd century BCE through the 12th century CE.
Archaeological Heritage
Excavated by British archaeologist John Marshall in the early 1900s, these ruins reveal the sophisticated urban planning of ancient Buddhist monastic complexes. The site flourished under Emperor Ashoka's patronage before falling to invaders in the medieval period.
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