Sarnath and Deer Park - site of the first teaching of the Buddha

Twenty kilometers from Varanasi sits the small town of Sarnath and its Deer Park, a forested area where the historical Buddha offered his first teaching after achieving enlightenment nearly 2600 years ago.

Today one finds archaeological remains of monasteries built at the site and an ancient stupa constructed to commemorate the event of the Buddha's teaching.

Deer still roam the neighboring park, while vendors sell local snack foods to Indian visitors and local boys practice their classroom English by asking foreigners to take their photo.