Around 10 kms from the holy city of Varanasi, Samath is the blessed locale where, 2500 years ago Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon after attaining Nirvana. The five disciples, surprised to see the mersmerisingly glowing countenance of the Buddha, received the Dharmachakra Pravartan, which set in motion the tradition of the Sangha. The five disciples along with Yasa ofVaranasi and his 54 friends. The beginning of the celebrated Mantra, "Buddham Sharanam Gachhami..." owes its origin to Samath.

The Dhamekh Stupa, bears significance to pilgrims since this was considered the seat of the Buddha. It is about 34 mtrs. in height and including the foundation, can be measured upto around 42 mtrs. Sarnath also has the ruins of the Dharmajajika Stupa and that of the original Mulgandhkuti Temple, which according to Hieun Tsang was about 61 mtrs. high and was the place where Buddha meditated and rested, while in Srnath.

There is also an Ashoka Pillar made of smooth glistening stone, which commemorates the visit of the Great Emperor after the Kalinga war which converted Ashoka into a follower of the Buddha. The Chaukhandi Stupa was originally a terraced temple during the Gupta period (4th to 6th Century). However in 1588 AD, Govardhan, the son of Raja Todarmal, built an octagonal tower to commemorate the visit of Humayun (Father of Emperor Akbar) and later became the Governor under Akbar's rule. It was Akbar, respecter of all religions, who raised this Stupa.

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