Located in the sacred state of Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath is a place of immense religious importance especially for the followers of Buddhism. This is the place where Buddha gave his first sermon; hence this is considered a holy place for all Buddhists. This is one of the 4 places which are associated with the life of Buddha. This place attracts many visitors throughout the year who come here to seek blessings and understand more about Buddha. There is a statue of standing Buddha that has a lot of importance and significance in the Buddhist religion. This place has a calm and quiet environment and is of historical importance as well where you will also learn about the tales of Buddhism and the deeply rooted beliefs and cultures of people associated with it. Explore the beautiful green gardens, meditation halls, and the fascinating architecture of this temple. If you are travelling to Varanasi, this place should be a part of your itinerary.
Significance Of The Statue Of Standing Buddha
The standing statue of Buddha in Sarnath is a significant symbol of peace and enlightenment; it reflects the spiritual heritage of this sacred site. Sarnath is located near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India, where the Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Buddhism is a widespread religion whose followers come from various parts of the world. This religion started with Buddha who was originally known as Siddharta Gautama. He was born into a royal family and was kept far away from all the realities of life. One day while he was out with his charioteer he saw a sick man, an old man, a corpse, and a monk which made him curious about the realities of life. He then left his palace to search for the answers to his questions. He decided to sit under a Bodhi tree till he found enlightenment.
Once he founded enlightenment, he was called ‘Buddha’ which meant ‘The Enlightened One”. His values were centred around basic principles of compassion (Karuna), peace, (metta) fellow feeling, and dhamma (act of righteousness). After the death of Buddha, all his preachings and teachings were converted into scriptures by his followers who wanted those principles to stay with them forever. These followers later established the ideology of Buddhism. Buddhism considers four places as very auspicious because they are related to Buddha. The 4 places are:
- Lumbini, where Buddha was born;
- Bodhgaya, where he attained enlightenment;
- Sarnath, where he gave his first sermon and,
- Kusinagara, where he attained nirvana
Sarnath is of importance also because it is believed the first Buddhist sangha was formed here. After the establishment of Buddhism, Emperor Ashoka further contributed to the making of stupas and the propagation of Buddhism. On the guilt of invading Kalinga, emperor Ashoka is said to have transformed from Chandashoka to Dharmashoka, meaning from a violent personality to a nonviolent one, and had accepted to follow the path of Buddhism. King Ashoka then further played a significant role in the spreading of dhamma. He also appointed people known as dhamma mahamatta whose sole purpose was to spread the principles of dhamma. This Sarnath Buddhist temple has a Dhamek Stupa complex, where the ruins of the Dhamek stupa, Ashokan pillar, etc are well preserved. This place also has an archaeological museum which has a lot of precious artefacts preserved for people to see. The highlight is the top of the Ashokan pillar and the evening light and sound show.
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Entry Fees And Rules
All Indians are required to pay a fee of INR 15. Children under the age of 15 are free to enter. As this is a place of religious importance, decent clothes are a requirement. Shoes are not permitted inside, so you must remove them outside the temple before entering it.
Littering or damaging any property within the temple premises is strictly prohibited. This place has ruins of important structures like the Dhamek stupa, Ashokan pillar, etc. People are expected to be careful with those. You are expected to be respectful towards your fellow devotees. Photography is generally allowed but might be restricted inside the main shrine.
Activities To Do In The Sarnath Buddhist Temple
Image Credit: Yusuke Kawasaki for Wikimedia Commons
Photography: People who love photography can enjoy the most here as it is a beautiful place with beautiful views.
Meditation: A calm place to visit and relax, a good respite from the urban hustle, and a place to spend time with oneself.
Explore Archeological Museum: People who like exploring different museums and learning about the past can explore the museum inside to observe different artefacts and learn about the rich culture and traditions of people.
Nature Lovers: Nature lovers can enjoy it here the most; it is home to many flower species and plants.
Visiting Nearby Tourist Attractions: While you are here, you can also visit some nearby tourist places such as Chaukhandi stupa, Ramnagar Fort, Ashoka Pillar, Varanasi, Thai temple, Manikarnika Ghat, etc.
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Location And Best Time To Visit
The statue of a standing Buddha is located about 10 kilometres northeast of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India, and is a significant site for the Buddhists. It is approximately 80 feet. The statue depicts Buddha in the “Abhaya Mudra”, symbolising peace and fearlessness. Although this place stays open in all seasons, you can witness the real charm of this place in winter, October to March, during the cooler months. Winter is a great time to visit this place and witness the real beauty of the temple. The climate is pleasant and calm, so you can feel comfortable.
The time during the annual festival of Buddha Purnima is also a great time to visit, you can witness the festive lights and colourful charm of that place. This place stays open from 6:00 am till 6:00 pm. You can reach this place by road, rail or airways. The nearest airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport which is approximately 15 kilometres away.
Further Read: Prem Mandir
We provided you with all the details you need to know if you plan a trip to the Statue of Standing Buddha. Explore more on your next trip to Uttar Pradesh. Plan a trip, to explore this scenic splendour. So, what are you waiting for? Start packing your bags now!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Statue of Standing Buddha
What is the significance of The standing statue of Buddha?
The standing statue of Buddha has a very deep significance in the Buddhist religion as it is a reflection of enlightenment and spirituality.
How much money do we have to pay to visit this place?
All the people of India are required to pay a fee of INR 15, There is free entry for all the children below the age of 15.
What is the best season to visit the Statue of Standing Buddha?
Although this place stays open in all seasons, you can witness the real charm of this place in winter October to March during the cooler months. Winters are a great time to visit this place and witness the real beauty of the temple. The climate is pleasant and cool so you can feel comfortable. The time during the annual festival of Buddha Purnima is also a great time to visit, you can witness the festive lights and colourful charm of that place.
What are some of the other activities that I can do in Sarnath?
From photography, meditation, and exploring new architectural features visitors can truly enjoy a lot here from this varied range of options.
What is the role of the Standing Buddha statue in enhancing the spiritual experience of visitors and pilgrims to Sarnath?
The Standing Buddha statue in Sarnath Is a symbol of Buddha’s teaching and lessons, enhancing spiritual experience as it reflects the truth of enlightenment.
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