Sarnath
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Overview
Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, is where the Buddha gave his first sermon (the Dhammachakkappavattana) after his enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. It is one of the four key places of his life: Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar.
The Lion Capital of Sarnath, from an Ashokan pillar, is India's national emblem. Buddhism flourished here in the Gupta period, as at Nalanda and Ajanta.
Geography and key facts
- First sermon of the Buddha
- Near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Lion Capital: India's national emblem
- Buddha's life: Lumbini → Bodh Gaya → Sarnath → Kushinagar
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked in a site–significance pairs question (1998); the four Buddhist places and the national emblem are frequent Prelims facts.
Note for UPSC
Near Varanasi; first sermon (Dhammachakkappavattana).
Expect questions linking sites with events in the Buddha's life and later Buddhist history.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 1998 · Q36Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? I. Lothal: Ancient dockyard II. Sarnath: First Sermon of Buddha III. Rajgir: Lion capital of Asoka IV. Nalanda: Great …
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Sarnath.
Key facts
- Type
- Buddhist site
- State / UT
- Uttar Pradesh
- Coordinates
- 25.378°N, 83.025°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 1 question · 1998
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Vedic Age, Mahajanapadas, Buddhism and Jainism
- Mauryas, Post-Mauryan Kingdoms and the Guptas
- Indian Architecture and Temple Styles
- Buddhism: Life of the Buddha, Teachings, Councils and Spread
- Ashoka: Kalinga War, Dhamma, Edicts and Mauryan Art
- The Gupta Age and Harsha: Polity, Society, Science and Culture