Shubh Travel
Shubh Travel
Just 10 kilometers away from the chaotic, vibrant ghats of Varanasi lies the incredibly peaceful town of Sarnath. It is the holiest site in Buddhism, where Lord Buddha delivered his very first sermon.
In 528 BC, after achieving enlightenment in Bodhgaya, Siddhartha Gautama (now the Buddha) traveled to Sarnath's Deer Park (Isipatana) to find his five former companions. It was here that he preached his first discourse, known as the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (The Turning of the Wheel of Dharma). This singular event marked the formal beginning of the Buddhist religion.
Centuries later, the great Mauryan Emperor Ashoka visited Sarnath and erected massive stupas and pillars to mark the sacred location.
• Dhamek Stupa: The massive, 43-meter tall cylindrical brick structure marks the exact spot where Buddha gave his first sermon. The complex is surrounded by serene, well-maintained gardens perfect for meditation.
• Chaukhandi Stupa: An octagonal tower built centuries later to mark the location where Buddha first reunited with his five disciples upon arriving in Sarnath.
• Sarnath Archaeological Museum: A must-visit! It houses the original Ashoka Lion Capital, the 3rd century BC sandstone sculpture that is the national emblem of India. Note: The museum is closed on Fridays.
• Wat Thai Temple (Thai Temple): Features an absolutely massive 80-foot tall standing Buddha statue, which is the tallest in India. The town is filled with international monasteries (Japanese, Tibetan, Chinese), each built in their distinct national architectural style.
Time Needed: A proper tour of Sarnath takes about 3 to 4 hours. It is best done in the morning (around 9:00 AM) or late afternoon to avoid the heat, as the stupa complex requires extensive walking under the open sky.
Travel from Varanasi to Sarnath by Taxi:
Sarnath is outside the main city limits. Taking a rickety auto-rickshaw through the dusty outer roads can be very exhausting.
Instead, book a comfortable Swift Dzire or Ertiga with Shubh Travel. We offer custom Varanasi Sightseeing Packages where our driver takes you to Sarnath in the morning, waits for you for 4 hours while you explore the stupas and museums, and smoothly drives you back to the Ghats in the afternoon.
For Buddhist circuit tours (including Bodhgaya), check our Bodhgaya Tour Packages. explore Shubh Travel services for instant Sarnath cab bookings.
As per official Varanasi tourism data and heritage guidelines, verifying timings of ancient ghats and temples ensures a flawless trip. You can explore more at the Kashi Govt Website.
Need reliable assistance reaching these historic places? You can effortlessly check our local travel services for safe, comfortable transport instead of worrying about the traffic.
The Dhamek Stupa archaeological complex has a nominal entry fee of around ₹25 for Indians (foreigners ₹300). The Sarnath Museum ticket is ₹5. Entry to the international monasteries (like the Thai temple) is completely free.
The Stupa and monasteries are open every day from sunrise to sunset. However, the Sarnath Archaeological Museum is always CLOSED on Fridays.
A serene 4-hour trip from Varanasi to Sarnath. Let our AC cabs handle your comfortable transit.
Instant confirmation • No advance payment