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Sarnath Museum is a renowned museum situated near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The museum is maintained by an archaeological survey of India and has artifacts from Sarnath which is a revered site in Buddhist history. The key highlights of the Sarnath Museum include the Buddha statue, the Ashok pillar’s lion capital and other artefacts. You can visit this museum with your family and friends to immerse in the rich history of our nation. It is a great place to visit to understand the spiritual significance and historical relevance of Sarnath.
Sarnath Museum Location
Photo: सत्यम् मिश्र / Wikimedia Commons
Sarnath Museum is located in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India and is an iconic landmark in the region. It is about 10 km northeast of the city of Varanasi. It takes about 25 to 30 minutes to cover this distance to reach Sarnath Museum. This place has high importance as a major Buddhist pilgrimage site. It is present at an accessible location which is convenient to reach by road.
How To Reach Sarnath Museum
Photo: Nyatto / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
The Sarnath Museum can be reached by road, train, and air.
By Road: The Sarnath Museum can be reached by road. If you are reaching from Lucknow, you can take NH 31 and proceed on the Lucknow -Varanasi Highway. To reach Delhi, you have to take NH 19 to reach Varanasi. Long distance Private and state transport buses run between Metropolitan cities like Delhi and Varanasi. Once you reach Varanasi, you can take a taxi or auto rickshaw to reach the Sarnath Museum.
By Train: The Sarnath Museum can be reached by train from all the major cities of the country. The nearest train station is Varanasi Junction. You can reach this place from all the notable cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Chennai and Bangalore. Once you deboard the train, you can take a taxi or auto rickshaw to reach Sarnath Museum.
By Air: To reach the Sarnath Museum via air, you will have to reach Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi. From here, you will have to cover a distance of 24 km to reach Sarnath and 18 km to reach Varanasi city Centre. It takes about 45 minutes to one hour to reach Sarnath Museum from the airport.
Places To Visit Around Sarnath Museum
The Sarnath Museum is popular in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is a great opportunity to reach this museum and learn more about the historical town of Sarnath.
1. Dhamek Stupa
Photo: Preeti Prajapati / Wikimedia Commons
Triveni Sangam is popular as the holy confluence of three rivers—the Ganga, Yamuna, and the Saraswati—in Prayagraj, previously called Allahabad. It is where the holy Kumbh Mela is organised and visitors reach in masses to take the sacred dip. The holy water is believed to remove all the sins. It is a great site to visit with family and friends for a spiritual trip to Allahabad. This place has high importance in religious and cultural tourism in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Things To Do: offer prayers, take the holy dip
Distance From Airport: 450 m
2. Mulagandha Kuti Vihara
Photo: MaximusPrasad / Wikimedia Commons
Popularly called Alfred Park, this is a large and historic public park situated in Prayagraj. This park is related to India’s freedom struggle, especially for being the place where Chandrashekhar Azad took last stand opposing British forces. This park is the symbol of National pride and is a great place to explore for history enthusiasts. You can sit by the lawns, share a meal, paint or draw during your trip. Locals jog in the park during morning hours which you can do as well.
Things To Do: nature walk, picnic, photography,
Distance From Airport: 600 m
3. Ashoka Pillar
Photo: Jonas Maria E. / Wikimedia Commons
Built by the father of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in the early 20th century, this museum gained popularity as the residence of Motilal Nehru and the Nehru-Gandhi family. One can visit the rooms where Jawaharlal Nehru grew up, Gandhiji used to visit and showcase their legacy. It houses a museum with artefacts, photographs, and documents from the Nehru-Gandhi family. This mansion was used for political meetings and strategizing by leaders during the freedom struggle. Attend a light and sound show in the evening for a great time.
Things To Do: explore the museum and library, Attend light and sound show, check the Gandhi corner
Distance From Airport: 550 m
4. Chaukhandi Stupa
Photo: Christopher Walker / Wikimedia Commons
Among one of the largest and most important forts from the Mughal era, this fort was established by Emperor Akbar in 1583. It is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River in Prayagraj. Most of the parts of the fort are under the control of the Indian Army. The fort has beautiful Mughal-style architecture. There’s a temple, Patalpuri Temple and is underground. A sandstone pillar, Ashoka Pillar from the 3rd century BCE is a popular attraction. The Immortal Banyan Tree, Akshaya Vat is another popular attraction in the fort.
Things To Do: pray at Patalpuri temple, learn about the history of the fort, historical walk
Distance From Airport: 650 m
5. Thai Temple
Photo: Rangan Datta Wiki / Wikimedia Commons
This park is also called Mahatma Gandhi Park and is located in Prayagraj. Minto Park has a direct connection to the transfer of power from the East India Company to the British Crown. You will find well-maintained lawns and it is an ideal outdoor place to visit with family. There are boating opportunities which you can explore with your loved ones. Click memorable pictures during your visit to the park. Relax amidst nature on a weekend as you visit the park.
Things To Do: Interact with locals, photography, nature walk and meditate
Distance From Airport: 300 m
Where To Stay
Photo: Kgbo / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
There are several hotel and accommodation options available for staying near the Sarnath Museum. The Hotel Banaras Buddha offers free parking and free Wi-Fi and is a great place to stay if you’re visiting the museum. Sarnath Motel and Resort is another option to stay and provide a comfortable stay for a family or a big group. Hotel Mudra offers free breakfast and has a cooperative staff that ensures a comfortable stay for the visitors. Other than this, you can stay at the ethnic resort in Varanasi, Buddha Theme Park which offers a luxurious experience. Shree Nanda Guest House and Sujata Hotel Sarnath Varanasi are budget-friendly options during your visit to Sarnath Museum.
Where To Eat
Photo: 66saeedz / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
During your visit to Sarnath, you must try the local cuisine of this region. Restaurant UP – 65 is a great place to visit for delicious food. Cilantro restaurant offers high-quality food options and has excellent service. Appam Cafe is a great place to visit for South Indian food in Sarnath. This place offers clean and presentable food dishes that make the visit pleasant. KN Cafe has a great menu and offers great hospitality. You can visit Veg Gali for the vegetarian food options at Sarnath. Baati Chokha restaurant offers fantastic service and has a friendly atmosphere.
Best Time To Visit
Photo: Innocentguyvikas / Wikimedia Commons
The best time to visit the Sarnath Museum is during the months of winter. The period from October to March is considered highly favourable for the visit to the museum. It is because their temperature is mild and comfortable for the visitors to explore the outdoor attractions at Sarnath. The cool mornings and evenings at Sarnath make it enjoyable to walk around the historical sites without any discomfort of intense heat.
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: Moheen Reeyad / Wikimedia Commons
Here are other important factors to consider while you’re planning your trip to the Sarnath Museum.
Average Cost Of Trip:
There is an Entry Fee of ₹5 per person for Indian nationals to visit the Allahabad Museum. There is an entry fee of rupees hundred for foreign nationals. There is no fee for children under 15 years of age to visit the museum. A budget 2-day trip may cost around INR 2,000 to INR 5,000 based on your preferences. It is advisable to make your bookings in advance as doing so will not dig a hole in your pocket.
Tips For Travellers:
- Designate about 3 to 4 hours to explore the Sarnath Museum entirely.
- A comfortable pair of shoes will help you explore the museum and its surroundings properly.
- Do not forget to carry a water bottle during your visit to the Sarnath Museum.
- The rules of the museum must be followed and artifacts must not be touched.
- Follow the photography rules as it is not allowed in the museum.
Sarnath Museum is a significantly old museum in India. It is a great site to visit as it has relics from the ancient Buddha site of Sarnath. If you’re interested in the heritage and cultural history of India, this is the perfect getaway for you in Varanasi. It’s the perfect time to book a trip to Sarnath with TripXL and gain an in-depth understanding of the historical and religious importance of this place. This trip guarantees a plethora of warm memories along with an insight into the glorious past of India.
Cover Photo: Nandanupadhyay / Wikimedia Commons
