Sarnath, the holy place where Lord Buddha save his first sermon, is located very close to which of the following cities?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) Varanasi

Explanation:

• Sarnath is located approximately 10 kilometres northeast of Varanasi, near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers in Uttar Pradesh.

• It is the place where Gautama Buddha, after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, delivered his first sermon to his five former companions.

• This event is known in Buddhist tradition as the Dharmachakrapravartana, or the "Turning of the Wheel of Dharma."

• The site is marked by the massive Dhamekh Stupa, which was built to commemorate the exact spot of the first sermon.

• Ashoka the Great later visited Sarnath and erected the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka, which is now the National Emblem of India.

Information Booster:

• Sarnath is one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites, the others being Lumbini (birth), Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), and Kushinagar (death).

• The Sarnath Museum houses the original Lion Capital and various artifacts from the Mauryan and Gupta periods, showcasing the area's rich archaeological history.

Additional Knowledge:

Mathura (Option a)

• Located in western Uttar Pradesh, Mathura is primarily celebrated as the birthplace of Lord Krishna.

• While it was a significant center for Buddhist art (the Mathura School of Art), it is far from the site of the first sermon.

Ayodhya (Option b)

• Situated on the banks of the Sarayu River, it is revered as the birthplace of Lord Rama.

• It is located about 200 km away from Sarnath and is central to the Hindu epic Ramayana.

Jhansi (Option c)

• Located in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, Jhansi is famous for its association with Rani Lakshmibai and the 1857 uprising.

• It does not have a direct historical link to the life of Lord Buddha.