Sarnath

Site north of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh state, northern India, where, according to tradition, the Buddha first began teaching his followers. The emperor Ashoka visited the site on his pilgrimage of 249 BC and erected a stupa and the famous lion-capital memorial pillar. There is also a small temple, also of the 3rd century BC.

A site in northeast India, famous as the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon. The emperor Asoka visited the site on his pilgrimage of 249 BC and set up a commemorative pillar, surmounted by a fine lion capital. There is also a small temple, also of the 3rd century bc.