Ashokan Pillar, Sarnath

The Ashokan Pillar at Sarnath is a 3rd-century BCE sandstone pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka at the site where Buddha gave his first sermon. Located within the Sarnath Archaeological Complex near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, the polished shaft remains in situ while its famous four-lion capital, now India's national emblem, is preserved in the Sarnath Museum. The pillar bears Brahmi inscriptions and marks a major Buddhist pilgrimage centre.

Visitors can see the broken polished sandstone shaft of the original Ashokan Pillar standing in situ within the fenced Sarnath archaeological ruins, with a replica of the four-lion capital nearby. The site is an open excavated complex with brick foundations, stupas and monastic remains set in a maintained park landscape. The original Lion Capital and associated artifacts are displayed in the adjacent Sarnath Archaeological Museum. The area is explored on foot via paved pathways.

Erected by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in circa 250 BCE to commemorate the site where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment. The 15-meter polished Chunar sandstone pillar was topped by the four-lion capital and a Dharma Chakra. It bears a Brahmi inscription warning against schism in the Buddhist Sangha. The pillar was broken in antiquity and rediscovered during excavations by Friedrich Oscar Oertel in 1904-1905.

Marks one of the four major Buddhist pilgrimage sites and symbolizes the spread of Buddhism under Ashoka. The Lion Capital was adopted as the National Emblem of India in 1950 and the Dharma Chakra from the capital appears on the Indian national flag. The site remains sacred for Buddhists and is a protected monument of national importance under the Archaeological Survey of India.