Sarnath Museum

The Sarnath Museum or the Archeological Museum at Sarnath is just ten kilometers from Varanasi. For those tourists who are keen on visiting historical places and love to take a glimpse at the past, this museum holds much excitement. The oldest site museum of the Archaeological Survey of India, it contains historically important findings and excavations number more than 6,800. The museum is designed like a Sangharam or a vihara. Construction of the museum started in 1904 and was completed in 1910. An idea conceived by Sir John Marshall was designed by James Ransome keeping in mind Buddhist antiquities. Entirely made of sandstone, the structure has a flat roof. Central hall, galleries like monastic cells and verandah in front, like in the cells in a monastery, the design of the museum matches its surroundings and purpose. Excavated antiquities displayed in the galleries date back to a period stretching from 3rd century BCE to12th century AD. All unearthed in Sarnath, the rich collection of sculptures, edifices and artifacts contain several ancient remains and stone carved images of meditating Buddha and Bodhisattva. However, the most noteworthy exhibit in the museum is the Lion Capital of Ashoka which is National Emblem of India.

Ashoka Pillar

This Ashoka Pillar, along with the wheel with 24 spokes, is today the Emblem of Government of India. The national emblem of India and a mark of Emperor Ashoka's visit to Sarnath, the Ashoka Pillar crafted out of stone is an impressive structure with four lions at the top. This 50 m long pillar along with the Dhamek Stupa, are Ashoka's gift to Buddhism and the entire complex has a calm aura to it. A number of monks are spotted meditating around the compound. The entire complex is filled with lush green lawns, and along with the Stupa, they resemble a colony with the Ashoka Pillar being the main attraction. India's oldest archaeological museum has been built at the periphery of the complex.

Erected in the thirteenth century, most of the structures in the area are in ruins, but the pillar stands high. A Bull, a lion, an elephant and a horse are depicted on the base of the Ashoka Pillar which symbolizes the four different phases of Gautam Buddha's life.
Sarnath is also mentioned as Rishipatana in the Buddhist literature since more than five hundred sages fell here after attaining Nirvana. There are also prayer wheels in the compound with beautiful carvings of 'Om Mani Padme Hum' in Sanskrit. The graphic representation of the Ashoka Pillar and the words 'Satyamev Jayate' written below in Devanagari have been adopted as the official Emblem of India.