An ancient city of Kashi or Banaras or Varanasi is known for it’s ancient history, religious importance, seat of Kashi Vishwanath (a Jyotirlinga), iconic Ghats of Ganga, temples and tantalising food. But there is another gem in Varanasi which is a must visit during your Kashi Darshan.
Sarnath is about 10 km from Varanasi on the confluence of River Ganga and River Varuna, this is holy place where Gautam Buddha taught the Dharma and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna.
The site contains a stupa (shrine) and the famous lion-capital memorial pillar, which was erected by the 3rd-century-BCE Mauryan emperor Ashoka and is now the state emblem of India.
A half day trip to Sarnath (very clean and well maintained by ASI with a lot of greenery around) in Varanasi should not be missed.
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