Sarnath is a city located 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi near the confluence of the Ganges and the Gomati rivers . The deer park in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment . Singhpur, a village approximately one km away from the site, was the birthplace of Shreyansanath, the Eleventh Tirthankara of Jainism, and a temple dedicated to him, is an important pilgrimage site.

 It was also the site of the Buddha's  first teaching after attaining enlightenment, in which he taught the four noble truths and the teachings associated with it. Sarnath has been variously known as Mrigadava, Migad?ya, Rishipattana and Isipatana throughout its long history. Mrigadava means "deer-park". Isipatana means the place where holy men landed

Buddha went fromBoth Gaya to Sarnath about five weeks after his enlightenment under Bodhi tree.

Before Gautama (the Buddha-to-be) attained enlightenment, he gave up his austere penances and his friends, the Pañcavaggiya monks, left him and went to Isipatana.

Best time to Visit

October to March.