Why in the news?

• Ahead of the visit of the UNESCO team to Sarnath, Archeological Survey of India proposed for a new plaque at the site which gives the credit of preserving the site to a local ruler instead of the British.

Sarnath

• Location: Situated 8km from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh
• What is its Importance: The location where Buddha delivered his first sermon.
• Historical Significance: Tied to Mauryan period and spread of Buddhism.
• Architectural Significance:
  • Ashokan Pillar and its Lion Capital was erected here as a memorial for Buddha’s first sermon by Ashoka.
  • Stupas, monasteries and other structures here showcase the evolution of Buddhist architecture.
  • The famous Gupta period (5th cent CE) sculpture of the Buddha Shakyamuni in the Dharmachakra Pravartana mudra uncovered during the excavations at Sarnath
  • The Dhamek Stupa is a huge stupa in Sarnath.
• National emblem: The Lion capital of Sarnath pillar was adopted as the National emblem of India.