SARNATH- The Great Holy Place Of Buddhism
Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha in the 5th century BC. Sarnath is the sacred land, 10km northeast of Varanasi. The Deer Park in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence. Also referred to as Isipatana, this city is mentioned by the Buddha as one of the four places of pilgrimage his devout followers should visit. It was also the site of the Buddha’s Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, which was his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, in which he explained the four noble truths and the teachings associated with them.