Part 8 - Layout of the Archeological site (of Sārnāth)

The Buddhist, holy site of Sārnāth was located some 8 km from Vārāṇasī, and falls under the Varanasi Municipal Corporation. It is very easily accessible from Banaras by road. Approaching the ancient monastic site from the Ghazipur road one first sees a large brick stupa with an octagonal tower known as the Chaukhandi stupa. This is the singular monument standing alone and moving a little far from Chaukhandi the main monastic complex is reached. It is a conglomerate of ruins of a number of stupas and monuments. As one enters the complex the first monasteries to be seen are numbered V and VII, both constructed in a fairly late period of 9^th century CE and the late medieval period. The Dhamek stupa first draws the attention of the visitor because of its colossal size and round shape. Scattered around this stupa particularly to its north and north west are a number of monasteries built and rebuilt several times.

Sārnāth’s centrality to Buddhism was because of the fact that the first preaching of the Buddha’s sermon took place here. After attaining the enlightenment the Buddha reached straight to Sārnāth and for the first time spread his knowledge to his chosen disciples in 532 BCE. This event known as “Dharmacakrapravartana” meant the turning of the wheel of law. From here the wheel of Buddhism started rolling. Slowly a Buddhist community grew at Sārnāth. It is notable that the archaeological remains of Sārnāth do not date before Aśoka’s time. It was perhaps because Buddhism was a small sect and the monks wandered from one place to another. Moreover they stayed at temporary huts made of perishable items. Buddhism received munificent imperial grants after Mauryan emperor Aśoka’s conversion to Buddhism in 260 BCE. It transformed from a small sect to state religion.

Permanent and durable structures for worshipping, congregation and residence began to be built. This explains that why despite being the first to receive the Buddhist sermon Sārnāth had to wait till the 3^rd century BCE to see the growth of a monastic complex here. Aśoka built here the colossal Dhamek tower, Dharmarājika stupa and a monolithic pillar made out of Chunar sandstone. Besides traces of Mauryan antiquities are scattered in different monasteries including the Main Shrine. The complex consistently grew in size under unbroken chain of royal patronage. One of the biggest grant however came in the medieval times from the Gahadvala queen Kumaradevī. Highly decorative and elaborate Main Shrine was modified, enlarged and magnified over older structures during this time. Thus the monastic site developed in size and fame.