In a city known as one of the world’s oldest living cultural centers, Sarnath Museum holds a unique place in history as the first archaeological museum in the Varanasi region and the oldest site museum of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Established in 1910, the museum continues to serve as a treasure trove of India’s ancient heritage, nestled beside the sacred Dhamek Stupa, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.
Built in the architectural style of a Buddhist monastery (sangharam), the museum was designed by architect James Ransome and commissioned under Sir John Marshall, then Director-General of ASI. It was the first museum in India constructed to preserve antiquities in situ—ensuring that historical finds from nearby excavations remain close to their origins.
- Houses over 6,800 sculptures, inscriptions, and relics spanning from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE
- Home to the Lion Capital of Ashoka, India’s National Emblem, carved circa 250 BCE
- Themed galleries such as Tathāgata, Śakyaśimha, Trimūrti, and Triratna, showcasing Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu art
- Preserved sandstone masterpieces, inscriptions, and relics from the Mauryan, Kushana, Gupta, and Pala periods
- Location: Sarnath Archaeological Complex, ~10 km from Varanasi City
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed on Fridays)
- Entry Fee: ₹5 for Indian nationals; free for children under 15; separate charges for foreigners
“This museum is more than a gallery—it’s a doorway to our collective spiritual and cultural memory,” said a historian at Banaras Hindu University.
