Beyond the main stupa
Many visits to Sarnath focus on the tall stupa and the museum, but the area has more to offer. The park contains monastery foundations that are easy to walk past, a modern temple with a remarkable interior, a small deer enclosure, and a cluster of temples built by Buddhist communities from different countries. There is even a Jain temple close by. Visiting these places gives a fuller picture of how the site has been used and reinterpreted over many centuries.
Mulagandhakuti Vihara
The Mulagandhakuti Vihara is a modern temple, built in the early 1930s and usually credited to the Maha Bodhi Society, an organisation associated with the Sri Lankan Buddhist reformer Anagarika Dharmapala. It was established to give Buddhists a functioning temple at Sarnath, at a time when the site was mostly an archaeological landscape.
The name recalls the Buddha’s private chamber, the “fragrant chamber”, a term used in the texts for the dwelling reserved for him in monasteries. The temple is built near the place where tradition and some later writers say the Buddha stayed at Sarnath, although such identifications are not certain.
Inside, the walls are covered with murals depicting scenes from the Buddha’s life. They are generally credited to the Japanese artist Kosetsu Nosu and were painted over several years, in a style that blends Japanese and Indian influences. A large gilded Buddha image sits at the centre. Visitors usually remove shoes before entering, and the interior is meant to be quiet. Photography is often restricted inside, and there may be rules about hours and special days, so check current local information.
Close to the vihara grows a Bodhi tree, which is commonly described as grown from a cutting of the sacred tree at Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, itself traditionally linked to the tree at Bodh Gaya. Pilgrims often sit or walk quietly in its shade.
The deer park
A small walled area with deer lies on the park’s edge, intended to recall the setting from which the site takes its traditional name. It is not an ancient survival, and it should be understood as a modern echo of the story. It is a pleasant spot to pause, particularly for visitors with children. As with any animals in a sacred setting, feeding rules and fencing are posted locally, and it is best to follow them.
Monastery ruins
Large brick foundations of ancient monasteries are scattered across the park. They are easy to overlook because only the lowest courses remain, but the plans show cells arranged around courtyards and small shrines. Archaeologists have identified several building phases and styles ranging across many centuries, and the dates assigned to each are approximate.
One of the later monasteries is generally linked to the twelfth century and to a queen of the Gahadavala dynasty, according to an inscription. Evidence of burning in some of the ruins has often been connected with the destruction of the site at about the end of that century, although the details are discussed by scholars. For the longer history of the site’s decline, see the article on its rediscovery.
If you walk the ruins, stay on marked paths, avoid climbing on walls and carry water, since there is little shade in the open areas.
Temples of other countries
Along the roads near the park, you will find temples built by Buddhist communities from several countries. These typically include Tibetan, Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Burmese styles, and a Sri Lankan presence is also strong. Many welcome visitors, though the opening times differ and some are closed for part of the day. Each shows how the same story is presented in a different architectural and artistic tradition, so they suit anyone interested in the variety of Buddhist practice in Asia.
Near Sarnath there is also a university-level institute for Tibetan studies. While it is not a pilgrimage site as such, its presence reflects the long link between the site and Tibetan Buddhism.
A Jain temple
A Jain temple lies close to the Buddhist park. In Jain tradition, Sarnath, under its old name Simhapuri, is associated with the birth of Shreyansanath, one of the twenty-four teachers of the tradition. The temple’s presence is a reminder that this region has been sacred to more than one religion. Visitors should observe the same courtesies as in any temple: remove shoes, dress modestly, and ask before photographing. Some Jain temples have rules about leather items, so it is polite to check at the entrance.
Planning the day
A relaxed visit that includes these lesser-known places takes more time than a quick stop at the main monuments. Mornings are cooler. Check official sources for current opening hours and any entry fees, since these change, and follow local guidance on conduct. Conditions in northern India can be very hot, so take health precautions seriously and consult current medical and government travel advice before you go.