A major Buddhist centre, Sarnath lies 10 kilometers north
east of Varanasi. It was here that Buddha preached his message of the
middle way to nirvana after achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya. In around
234 BC, Emperor Ashoka, a great follower of Buddhism, erected a stupa here.
Between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD, several Buddhist
structures were built here in Sarnath. Most of the Sarnaths monuments are
set in large gardens making it quite pleasant for a visitor to spend some
time here.
