Sarnath

The book “Sarnath The Appraisal” is remarkable because it contains different approaches to appraise this holy site. Well appraised by Lord Buddha Himself by delivering his first sermon, establishing here Sangha at first and severally visiting this place and by directing his followers to visit this pilgrimage. Thus, the triratna of Buddhism is well perceptible at this holy place. The place is marked with memorial edifices by the great Mauryan king Ashoka and further by Kanishka, Kumargupta, Sthirpal, Vasantpal, Kumar Devi etc. The history of Sarnath goes back to 4th cent. B.C.E. (date found from a dish of BSW and charcoal sample, collected in 2014. C.E.) till 12th cent. C.E. as confirmed by different excavations carried out since 1835-36 till 2014 C.E. which are penned in the book. The construction and destruction are part of life and conservation comes as a lifesaving module for monuments. A comparative study of monuments at Sarnath with the descriptions of Xuan Zang and further with the archival records in the form of paintings, lithographs and photographs is remarkably interesting. The harms occurred by humans or by nature is well documented, which are ecological concerns and which can be restored by the Lords teachings to save the earth and its inhabitants.
A beautiful collection of images related to Buddhism, Jainism and Brahmanism; their changing paradigm, the significance of the Lord’s hand postures and panels showing his life-scenes are described in this book with rare photographs. The terracotta figurines, seals, sealings and beads of different materials, bricks, arches and Kirtimukhas are never given due importance before. Along with these hundreds of small votive stupas of stone and terracotta are duly categorized and described with their purpose of construction, plan and photographs etc., with thoughtful classifications and details in individual chapters. The excavations carried out have ample proof of Sarnath being a manufacturing cum factory site, which is first time dealt with in this book. Sarnath has the honour of securing Lord Buddha's holy relics in its premises and the history behind its expedition from Lord's parinirvana at Kushinagar to Sarnath is narrated in the book.
The ‘Suggested Readings’, rare photographs and line drawings are very conscious and exhausting efforts to provide a complete picture of Sarnath. We wish that this book with high mottoes in our minds and souls will be fruitful for the scholars, researchers, pilgrims, tourists and visitors alike.

Archaeological remains seem to prove that the
archaeological site of Sarnath was indeed a manufacturing
cum-factory site, even from the age of Mauryas and
continued up to the 12th Century CE. As a proof to this,
remains such as the geographical location of the site
connected with the rivers and intentionally made canals,
scattered raw material in the form of stone blocks and
chips of different sizes, in situ documentation of stone
flakes and chips of different sizes and shapes found
during explorations and excavations, implements and
tools for making art objects recovered from the recent
excavations, patina bearing stone blocks for sharpening
such tools, mason marks and names, have been studied
in detail. Artefacts displayed in the site museum and also
preserved in reserve collection prove that Sarnath was
a place where various sculptures and other art-pieces
for architectural purposes, were shaped.