Question

Which of the following Buddhist sites is located in Uttar Pradesh?
1. Sarnath
2. Sanchi
3. Amaravati
4. Karle

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Sarnath

The correct answer is Sarnath.

• Sarnath is a Buddhist site located in Uttar Pradesh.

• Sarnath is located near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
• Sarnath is an important Buddhist site because Buddha delivered his first sermon here to his five disciples.
  • This is known as Dharmachaka Pravartana (turning of the wheel of law).
• The National Emblem of India is an adaptation of the Buddhist Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.

• Buddhism and Gautam Buddha:
  • His real name was Siddharth.
  • At the age of 29, he renounced home, this was his Mahabhiniskramana.
  • At the age of 35, under a peepal tree at Uruvella (Bodh Gaya) on the bank of river Niranjana, he attained Nirvana after 49 days of continuous meditation he got fully enlightened (Buddha or Tathagat).
  • He delivered his first sermon at Sarnath to his five disciples.
    • This is known as Dharmachaka Pravartana
  • He died in 483 BC at Kushinagar. 
    • This is known as Mahaparinirvana.