Ashoka Pillar, Sarnath — Attraction in Uttar Pradesh

Great place of Buddhist pilgrimage. Site of Buddha’s First Sermon The most celebrated of the Ashokan pillars is the one erected at Sarnath, the site of Buddha’s First Sermon where he shared the Four Noble Truths (the dharma or the law). Currently, the pillar remains where it was originally sunk into the ground, but the capital is now on display at the Sarnath Museum. It is this pillar that was adopted as the national emblem of India. It is depicted on the one rupee note and the two rupee coin.

The Pillar The pillar is a symbol of the axis mundi (cosmic axis) and of the column that rises everyday at noon from the legendary Lake Anavatapta (the lake at the center of the universe according to Buddhist cosmology) to touch the sun.

The Capital The top of the column—the capital—has three parts. First, a base of a lotus flower, the most ubiquitous symbol of Buddhism.

Then, a drum on which four animals are carved representing the four cardinal directions: a horse (west), an ox (east), an elephant (south), and a lion (north). They also represent the four rivers that leave Lake Anavatapta and enter the world as the four major rivers. Each of the animals can also be identified by each of the four perils of samsara. The moving animals follow one another endlessly turning the wheel of existence.

Four lions stand atop the drum, each facing in the four cardinal directions. Their mouths are open roaring or spreading the dharma, the Four Noble Truths, across the land. The lion references the Buddha, formerly Shakyamuni, a member of the Shakya (lion) clan. The lion is also a symbol of royalty and leadership and may also represent the Buddhist king Ashoka who ordered these columns. A cakra (wheel) was originally mounted above the lions.

Some of the lion capitals that survive have a row of geese carved below the lions. The goose is an ancient Vedic symbol (Veda means knowledge in Sanskrit and the Vedas refers to the canonical collection of hymns, prayers and liturgical formulas that make up the earliest of the Hindu sacred writings. Many of the Buddhist symbols and practices derive from these early texts). The flight of the goose is thought of as a link between the earthly and heavenly spheres.

The pillar reads from bottom to top. The lotus represents the murky water of the mundane world and the four animals remind the practitioner of the unending cycle of samsara as we remain, through our ignorance and fear, stuck in the material world. But the cakras between them offer the promise of the Eightfold Path, that guide one to the unmoving center at the hub of the wheel. Note that in these particular cakras, the number of spokes in the wheel (eight for the Eightfold Path), had not yet been standardized.

The lions are the Buddha himself from whom the knowledge of release from samsara is possible. And the cakra that once stood at the apex represents moksa, the release from samsara. The symbolism of moving up the column toward Enlightenment parallels the way in which the practitioner meditates on the stupa in order to attain...

The national emblem of India and a mark of Emperor Ashoka's visit to Sarnath, the Ashoka Pillar crafted out of stone is an impressive structure with four lions at the top. This 50 m long pillar along with the Dhamek Stupa, are Ashoka's gift to Buddhism and the entire complex has a calm aura to it. A number of monks are spotted meditating around the compound. The entire complex is filled with lush green lawns, and along with the Stupa, they resemble a colony with the Ashoka Pillar being the main attraction. India's oldest archaeological museum has been built at the periphery of the complex. Sarnath along with Lumbini, Bodhgaya, and Kushinagar are the four places that Lord Buddha suggested visiting to his followers. Erected in the thirteenth century, most of the structures in the area are in ruins, but the pillar stands high. Bull, a lion, an elephant and a horse are depicted on the base of the Ashoka Pillar which symbolizes the four different phases of Gautam Buddha's life. Dhamek Stupa is an important landmark for Buddhists where Lord Buddha preached his lessons for the very first time. He only had five disciples behind him then. Sarnath is also mentioned as Rishipatana in the Buddhist literature since more than five hundred sages fell here after attaining Nirvana. There are also prayer wheels in the compound with beautiful carvings of 'Om Mani Padme Hum' in Sanskrit. The graphic representation of the Ashoka Pillar and the words 'Satyamev Jayate' written below in Devanagari have been adopted as the official...

A powerful symbol of India’s ancient history and Buddhist heritage! The Ashokan Pillar at Sarnath was originally erected by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE to mark the sacred spot where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment. Though the pillar now stands broken, its base remains at the original site beside the Dhamek Stupa, and the famous Lion Capital — India’s National Emblem — is safely preserved inside the nearby Sarnath Archaeological Museum.

The polished sandstone pillar once stood over 12 meters high and carried Ashoka’s edicts promoting peace, moral conduct, and compassion. The craftsmanship and polish, even after more than 2,000 years, are remarkable. It’s humbling to imagine the full structure as it once was — a timeless reminder of India’s message of “Ahimsa” and “Dharma.”

Entry: Access to the pillar site is included with the Dhamek Stupa ticket — ₹25 for Indian citizens (₹20 online via ASI portal) and ₹300 for foreign visitors. Photography is allowed inside the complex .

The area is clean, quiet, and well maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Drinking water, toilets, and shaded rest areas are available near the gate. Local guides are also available for a small fee to explain the full history and significance of the site.

Visiting the Ashokan Pillar at Sarnath is not just about seeing an ancient monument — it’s about connecting with a living legacy that still shapes India’s identity today. A must-visit for history lovers, Buddhists, and anyone...