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| Home > Indian Sculptures > Buddhist Sculptures > Sarnath
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| | Sarnath
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Sarnath is one of the most beautiful sites in the world & sacred where the Buddha delivered his first sermon.  Through this sermon he taught to his first disciples and the introduction of his doctrine of peace to the entire world was became known. The first sermon is now termed as Dharamachakra Pravartan. The important thing is that the Lion Capital on top of one of pillar is recognized as the National Emblem of India is from Sarnath.
And it is said that the Buddha came to this place at the time when shady forest areas & animals surrounded it but at the same place he opened the door of peaceful world to all. Here, he was persuaded to tell the experiences after his enlightenment at Bodhgaya by his followers and also resulted to set up the first Buddhist sangha or order.
 It is said that four important places in the life of Buddha are: Where he was born at Lumbini in Nepal, where he gained enlightenment at Bodhgaya in India, where he gave his first sermon at Sarnath in India and where he left his mortal body at Kushinager in India.
And at all places the traces of Buddhist art can be noted. Buddhist worldwide look upon India as the land of the Buddha and they visit to India for the pilgrimage these sacred place to the memory of the Enlightened Buddha. And all these places gives more than fulfilling their exceptions.
The Emperor Ashoka who worked in this life for spreading the Buddha`s message of love and compassion visited Sarnath around 234 BC, and erected a Grand stupa.
With it several other Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD that represents today the most expansive ruins amongst places on the Buddhist trail.
The main structure of the place has been enclosed and marked with the presence of a labyrinth or complex structure of monasteries that are in half-ruined condition and votive stupas. Walking through these relics of the past is very fascinating experience. But from all, the building that attracts the attention of viewer is the Dhamek Stupa. Believed to be constructed fifth to sixth century & significantly shows the spot where the Buddha gave his first sermon. In simple description, it is a cylindrical tower of around 30 meters high with a solid structure. But the sculptural beauty is maintained with all the architectural techniques.
As the trunk of the stupa is decorated with using panels carved with geometric and floral designs. One can note the fact from the attempts to excavate the construction of stupa that the structure must had enlarged no less than twelve times. Eact time, every successive patron is adding and helping to embellish the original shrine in terms of its sacred ness & sculptural beauty. Another ruined stupa of named the Dharmarajika Stupa is believed to have been built by Emperor Ashoka. It is situated at the west of Dhamek Stupa & built in third century BC. And in its architectural settings, within its solid hemispherical mound a casket of funerary relics was found.
Some important developmental stages are as above. During the Gupta period that is in 4th-6th century A.D. Sarnath came to be known as a main center of structural and artistic activities. The structure of Mulgandhakuti, which is the chief shrine of the Buddha, were erected during this period. The Dhamekh stupa, the best preserved and most impressive edifice at Sarnath is also constructed at the same time. The Chinese Fa-Hien visited the pilgrim place of Sarnath during the regime of Chandragupta ll in 376-414 AD and saw four stupas and two monasteries of India.
The reign of Harshavardhan seems have initiated fresh religious activity & attempts to carve new structures must have been originated. Due to this, the restorations of the earlier building of Sarnath took place in this time. One more traveler, Hiuen-Tsang visited Sarnath during the time and left some records of vivid descriptions about monuments. His descriptions provides details about the marvelous style of
sculpturing relief & wall carvings.
 Dhamekh Stupa is known for particular significance at Sarnath as it signifies the "seat of the holy Buddha", after he proclaimed his faith. Besides Dhamekh Stupa & s the ruins of Dharmajajika Stupa and Sarnath is also having the original Mulgandha-kuti Temple. It is about 61mtrs high. When Buddha was in Sarnath, he had rested and meditated here. Emperor Ashoka had converted into Buddhism after the War of Kalinga & his visit to Sarnath. A smooth glistening stone pillar called from his name, the Ashoka Pillar commemorates his visit and laid the foundation of the Buddhist Sangha here.
Owing to the religious significance and the association with the Buddha made Sarnath a popular pilgrim spot from years. Today the place is marked for the presence of commemorative stupas, remains of monasteries of different historical periods, some new Buddhist institutions, and a museum having a wonderful collection of Buddhist art.
It is rightly said that with the emergence of the Mauryans in 3rd century BC, a new chapter was written in the history of Art. History reminds that Ashok after visiting Sarnath and Kushinagar ordered for construction of stupas and viharas at these sacred places.
 Maybe the traces of such records have disappeared but the sculptures in stone pillars found at Sarnath or Allahabad, Merut, Kausambi, Sankisa and Varanasi advocates the excellence art of Mauryan. The Lion Capital of Sarnath is certainly the excellent specimen of Mauryan art.
It fact, it is not possible to find any other example of ancient animal sculpture that is superior or even equal to this artistic expression of Sarnath. This can be confidently stated because a combination of realistic treatment with idealistic dignity and all minute details has noted with utmost perfection here.
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