Archeological Museum of Sarnath

Sarnath is a small place situated 08 km from Varanasi. Archaeological Museum of Sarnath, which is also known as Sarnath Museum. It is one of the popular museums in India, and among the top place to visit in Varanasi. This Museum was built in the year 1910 CE by Sir John Marshall, who was Director-General of Archaeology in India. It was made just in front of the excavated site at Sarnath to keep the ancient things found from the site. It is one of the the oldest site museum of the Archaeological Survey of India.

The whole building is made of sandstone and designed like a vihar. The museum contains five galleries and two verandahs to display the antiquities ranging from the 3rd century BCE to 12th century AD that have been found at Sarnath. The museum has several sculptures, artifacts, and edifices comprising numerous Buddha and Bodhisattva images and other ancient remains.

National Emblem of India

The single most famous exhibit of this museum is the Lion Capital of Ashoka, which was originally erected around 250 BCE atop an Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath. The angle from which this picture has been taken, minus the inverted bell-shaped lotus flower, has been adopted as the National Emblem of India showing the Horse on the left and the Bull on the right of the Ashoka Chakra in the circular base on which the four Indian lions are standing back to back. On the far side, there is an Elephant and a Lion instead. The wheel ‘Ashoka Chakra’ from its base has been placed onto the center of the National Flag of India.

Preaching Buddha

Gallery no. 1 has a ‘preaching Buddha’ image, exhibiting the famous Dharma chakra pravartana mudra (turning the wheel of Law). This sculpture of the Buddha was made by Gupta Dynasty in 5th century.  This is the most beautiful statue of Buddha in this museum. Of other Buddhist remains, there is a big standing Bodhisattva made by red sandstone in 01st century.  The museum at Sarnath also houses a collection of figures and sculptures from the Mauryan, the Kushana, and the Gupta periods.

Image of Siva killing demon Andhak

Sarnath museum also contain many images of Hindu Gods dating from the 9th to 12th centuries. Most impressive among them is the big image of Siva killing demon Andhak by his trident and he has a bowl on his other hand to collect the blood of the demon.

Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM, Closed on Friday

Museum Entry: Rs. 5 for Person

Free Entry: Children upto 15 years

Photo:  Allowed by Camera

Phone: Not Allowed

Bag:  Not Allowed