Full day Private Guided Tour of Sarnath from Varanasi

5.0 (2 reviews) 8 hours Free cancellation Private tour

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Full day Private Guided Tour of Sarnath from Varanasi — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Full day Private Guided Tour of Sarnath from Varanasi, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Experience Sarnath where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, Chaukhandi Stupa a shrine for the relic of Buddha, murals and frescoes of the Buddhist temple of Mulagandha Kuti Vihar A scenic boat ride in the morning on the Ganges is another highlight of this day tour to Sarnath from Varanasi.

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At a glance

Duration: 8 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English
Operated by: Five Senses Tours

Ages: Infants (0–2 years) · Children (3–11 years) · Adults (13–85 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Indian lunch
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Entrance charges
Included: Guide

Not included

Not included: Beverages

Itinerary

Assi Ghat

one hour Admission included

We start the day with a boat ride over the Ganges and get a glimpse of live in this ancient city across its various ghats.
Sarnath

1 h 30 min Admission included

We will visit Sarnath, the most famous pilgrimage for Buddhists in India. Lord Buddha gave his first sermon here after attaining enlightenment in the year 528 BC. The great Mauryan Emperor Ashoka built magnificent stupas and monasteries in this area in the 3rd century BC. He also erected a column 15.24 m in height which had four lions and this was later adopted as the national emblem of India.
Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath

one hour

Dhamek Stupa is the most impressive structure here in Sarnath. The Stupa commemorates the first discourse of the Buddha which was on the ‘Wheel of Law’. The wheel reflects the world with its eternal existence due to our desires and cravings.
Chaukhandi Stupa

one hour

We next visit Chaukhandi Stupa a shrine for the relic of Buddha. This Stupa was built during the Gupta period between the 4th to 6th Century to highlight the site where Lord Buddha and his first disciples met traveling from Bodh Gaya to Sarnath. During the time of Akbar, the Mughal Emperor it was modified to its present shape by building the octagonal tower. These modifications were carried out to commemorate the visit of Humayun, the father of Akbar.
Mulagandha Kuti Vihar

one hour

Mulagandha Kuti Vihar is a relatively new Buddhist temple. The highlight of this temple is its murals and frescoes. It stands as a contrast to the ruins of ancient Sarnath all around it. An interesting aspect of this temple complex is a Bodhi tree, which is supposedly a descendant of the tree beneath which Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment.