Sarnath Museum

Sarnath was a treasure trove for archaeologists who began to excavate and restore the stupas in the nineteenth century. Their finds are housed in this museum that has a wonderful collection of Buddhist sculpture, ancient manuscripts panels, railings, pillars and pottery.

The most famous display is of course of the carving of four Ashokan lions that once stood on top of a pillar, a broken fragment still stand near the ruins of the Dharmarjika Stupa. The lions face in four directions and are a symbol of the Dhamma being spread across the world. There are also some beautiful images of the Buddha from the Gupta and Kushan periods.