About

The formal name of the Sarnath Temple is the Mulgandha Kuty Vihara. It is a primary place of worship for the Buddhist Community. It was constructed by Boddhisatva Angarika Dharmpala, of Sri Lanka. He was the founder of the Maha Bodhi society of India. It is located in the deer park where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after his englightenment in Bodh Gaya.

The dominant feature of the temple is the central spire (vimana) with its horizontal stripes and images of temple bells. The temple has three minor spires, one over the foyer, and two at the corners of the prayer hall. The foyer connects to the prayer hall through a pillared corridor.

It enshrines the sacred relics of Lord Buddha which were discovered during excavations in Nagarjuna Konda (modern day Andhra Pradesh) in southern India, and Takshashila in Punjab (modern day Afghanistan). These relics were presented by the Archaeological Survey of India to the Mahabodhi Society.

The interior walls of the Vihara contain murals depicting various events in the life of Lord Buddha. These paintings are the work of the Japanese artist Kosetsu Nosu who was commissioned for this by the Imperial Government of Japan. These paintings were thrown open to the public in 1936.

The relics encased in a casket are carried through the town of Sarnath in a grand procession every year on the auspicious day of Karthika Purnima, the full moon day which usually falls in the month of November.

Trivia

Mrs. Mary Foster of Honolulu made a major contribution which enabled the construction of this temple.