Sarnath Sculptures and Architecture

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Sarnath Sculptures:

Sarnath sculptures are world-famous sculptures, and the Indian Government adopted National Emblem from these Sarnath sculptures. It is a very sacred place for Buddhists and a beautiful site in the world. Every year thousands of Tourists visit this place. This place had significance historically and spiritually.

Lord Buddha delivered his First Sermon at Sarnath:

Lord Buddha visited this place after his attainment and delivered his first speech. He introduced Buddhism from here only. Sarnath is famous for stupas. Here famous stupa is the Ashoka stupa; from this stupa, Indian Government recognised ‘The Lion Capital on top of on Pillar’ as its emblem. Here we can see several Buddhist structures, indicating Buddhism’s glory in the ancient period. At present, the monuments of Sarnath and several Buddhist forms represent the most expansive ruins of the Buddhist trail. Here the structures are in the presence of complex systems of monasteries. Now they are in ruined condition. The Dhamekh Stupa has tremendous significance as the seat of the Holy Buddha. After Buddha learned salvation for the sorrows, he came to Sarnath and sat in the pose of Padmasana. This same pose is carved on this Dhamekh Stupa.

Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath:

Especially during the period of Ashoka, the great started the construction in Sarnath. The buildings here were completed during the 5th and 6th century A.D. Sarnath’s location seems to be a cylindrical tower around 30 meters high, and all stupas are made with solid rocks. Here the sculptures are carved with all architectural techniques. The stupa is decorated with beautiful panels carved with floral designs. The famous Dharmarajika Stupa is located west of Dhamek Stupa. Ashoka constructed this stupa in the third century B.C.
Mulgandhakuti temple is another Buddhist temple here. It is the chief shrine of Lord Buddha. It was erected during the period of the Gupta dynasty. When Buddha visited Saranadh, they preferred to take rest and meditate there. So in memory of Buddha, the Mulgandhakuti temple was constructed.

During the 3rd century BC, Ashoka the great visited Sarnath, laying the foundation for Buddhist Sangha here. The Ashoka pillar was installed at Sarnath in memory of Ashoka’s visit. The lion capital of Sarnath shows us an excellent specimen of Maurya art. These stone sculptures are at Meerut, Kausambi, Sankisa and Varanasi.