5/5 Siddharth N. 5 years ago on Google • 127 reviews
Listen
to
monks
chanting
Buddhist
sermons
and
spot
interesting
artwork
at
this
modern
temple,
set
among
picturesque
gardens,
ruined
temples
and
sacred
shrines.
Mulagandha
Kuti
Vihara
Monastery
is
a
modern
monastery
and
temple
set
among
scenic
gardens.
Marvel
at
the
striking
Buddhist
architecture,
admire
fascinating
frescoes
and
listen
to
the
infectious
sounds
of
Buddhist
chants.
Mulagandha
Kuti
Vihara
Monastery
is
in
Sarnath,
an
ancient
pilgrimage
site
that
attracts
Buddhist’s
devotees
from
around
the
world.
While
here,
visit
the
remains
of
revered
temples,
shrines
and
an
interesting
museum.
Approach
the
monastery
via
a
paved
walkway
lined
with
multicolored
Buddhist
flags,
which
flap
gently
in
the
breeze.
Gaze
up
at
the
attractive
architecture,
dominated
by
towers
and
intricately
carved
spires.
Look
for
the
Bodhi
tree,
which
is
supposedly
a
descendant
of
the
tree
beneath
which
Lord
Buddha
achieved
enlightenment.
Take
a
moment
to
watch
the
groups
of
monks
that
sit
and
meditate
on
the
surrounding
green
lawns.
Step
inside
the
monastery
to
discover
a
superb
collection
of
colorful
frescoes
depicting
the
life
and
teachings
of
Lord
Buddha.
They
are
the
work
of
famed
Japanese
artist
Kosetsu
Nosu.
Come
to
the
monastery
in
the
evening
to
hear
monks
reciting
Buddha’s
first
sermon,
which
legend
states
he
gave
at
the
nearby
Damekh
Stupa.
Located
in
the
town
of
Sarnath,
Mulagandha
Kuti
Vihara
Monastery
is
about
a
30-minute
drive
from
Varanasi.
Public
buses
travel
between
Sarnath
and
Varanasi.
Alternatively,
get
here
via
tuk-tuk
or
taxi.
After
visiting
the
monastery,
check
out
the
other
attractions
of
Sarnath.
Among
these
are
the
remains
of
the
Dharmarajika
Stupa
from
the
3rd
century
B.C.,
which
once
enshrined
relics
of
Lord
Buddha.
Check
out
the
ruined
Chaukhandi
Stupa,
the
meeting
place
of
Buddha
and
his
first
disciples.
Go
to
the
Sarnath
Museum
to
see
Buddha
icons,
Hindu
images
and
the Lion
Capital
of
Ashoka,
a
sculpture
of
four
lions.
The
monastery
and
other
attractions
of
Sarnath
are
open
daily
and
have
admission
fees.
The
museum
is
open
from
Saturday
to
Thursday
and
charges
a
separate
admission
fee.
Remember
to
remove
shoes
when
entering
the
monastery
and
walk
in
a
clockwise
direction
around
the
stupas.
Signs
in
English
provide
useful
information
about
the
various
monuments
and
ruins.