Sarnath

Just outside Varanasi is one of the major Buddhist sites in the world – where Buddha preached his first sermon in 590 BC. Excavations of this site were begun by the British in 1836. Today, the ruined stupas, statues and monasteries lie within stretches of landscaped gardens. Deer wander among the ruins and the air still carries the fragrance of incense and flowers and the chants of the monks. The on-site archaeological museum is also worth a visit.