Home Bodhi Tree of Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India


Exotic Tours of Asia
 India Asia Travel Guide Find Hotels       

The Bodhi Tree of Sarnath is planted from a sapling taken from the Sri Maha Bodhi tree of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The sapling was planted on 12 November 1931 by the venerable Sri Devamitta Dhammapala, founder of Maha Bodhi Society of India, to mark the opening of the Mulagandha Kuty Vihara.



Bodhi Tree of Sarnath, Isipathana Deer Park, Sarnath.
© Timothy Tye using this photo


The Sri Maha Bodhi of Anuradhapura was brought by Emperor Ashoka's daughter, the venerable Bhikkhuni Sanghamitta, as a branch of the Buddhagaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa), under which Prince Sidhartha Gautama attained Enlightenment. The bodhi tree of Anuradhapura is the oldest religious tree in the world.

The retaining wall around the Bodhi tree and the images of the Sakyamuni Buddha preaching his first sermon to the first five disciples were erected in 1989 with the assistance of the Myanmar Buddhist devotees.

In 1999 the Bodhi tree complex was widened by making space for meditation and Dhamma sermons with twenty images of previous Buddhas around the Bodhi tree, beginning from Taranankara Buddha to Gautama Buddha, all said to have attained Enlightenment under the Sri Maha Bodhi tree at Buddhagaya and preached their first sermons at Isipatana Deer Park, Sarnath. A granite plate inscribed with the Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta, the first sermon of the Sakyamuni Buddha was also erected. The entire Bodhi complex was declared open on 17 December 1999 by the Dalai Lama, with a message to the world to restore and promote peace and harmony.

Plan your trip to Sarnath, India






  • Tips to become a smart traveler: Useful tips to remember, to get the best out of your travels.
  • Preparing for a Trip: Systematic approach to help you prepare for your trip.
  • How to plan your travel itinerary: Step-by-step guide to creating the itinerary for your trip.
  • Find and compare hotel room rates: View room rates from all the different booking sites.
  • Learn to compare room rates: Step-by-step guide on finding the lowest rates every time.
  • When NOT to go where: List of seasons to avoid when traveling the globe.
  • How to pack your luggage: Useful steps to take when packing your luggage.
  • Packing List (PDF): Print out this free packing list to make sure you don't forget anything for your trip.
  • Voltage, Frequency, Plugs & Sockets of the World: Learn about the mains electricity supply in the world.
  • Travelers' List of Plugs and Sockets (PDF): Easy-to-use list of electricity and plugs for all countries.
  • Making International Direct Dail Calls: Learn to make IDD calls from anywhere in the world.
  • IDD Call Prefixes & Country Codes (PDF): Listing of Call Prefixes and Country Codes on one page for you to bring on your trip.
  • Safety Tips When Traveling Alone: Useful advice for when you travel on your own.
  • Guide to Health Matters related to Travel: Comprehensive coverage of different issues related to your health when traveling.
  • Getting Travel Insurance for your trip: Benefits of travel insurance, and advise on when you should signing up for one.
  • Improve your travel photography: Tips to improve your photography skills, especially when traveling.
  • Guide to Traveling Around the World: Useful tips for encircling the globe.
  • English Made Simple: Improve your English for your travel.













  • Follow Me on Pinterest

    Point - Click - Discover!

    Thanks for visiting this webpage. To continue exploring, choose another destination!


    My World Travel Guides - celebrating a beautiful world beautifully.


    SBI! Results