The Capital once stood upon a 40-to-50-foot pillar, itself now reduced to fragments displayed within glass, outdoors. ... Sarnath lay forgotten until the 19th century, when British excavations began.

“They found the Lion Capital, the famous preaching Buddha statues, the Ashoka Pillar—one of the earliest and most imposing structures at Sarnath, which is our national emblem today,” said Mani.

A carving of four lions that once topped one of Ashoka's pillars at Sarnath is now the national emblem of India. A man of peace . It is always said that Ashoka, after winning a great battle, ...

The Ashokan Pillar in Kolhua, Bihar, is one of India's best maintained historical sites. ... The Lions of Sarnath broke from the pillar and remained buried till they were excavated by the British.

The smooth glistening pillar established by Emperor Ashoka in 273-232 B.C. marks the foundation of the Buddhist Sangha, and the Lion Capital atop this pillar is now India's National Emblem.

Next to the site museum lie the excavated ruins of Sarnath, known as the main complex. It is dominated by the towering Dhamekh Stupa. The scattered ruins consist of several monasteries, votive stupas, ...

Referring to the symbolism of the lion capital of Sarnath, Roy C. Craven says, “. . . the Buddha’s clan, the Shakyas, had the lion its totem, so the lion may re ...

Sarnath, 10km from Varanasi, is one of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage centres. It is believed that after attaining Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, it was here that Lord Buddha preached his first ...

Freestanding pillars independent of other structures have a long history in India. ... The most majestic Ashokan creation was the Sarnath lion capital, ...

The original ones are in Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh in northern India and were placed on the top of the Ashoka pillar by Emperor Ashoka in 250 BC during his rule over the Maurya Empire.

The eyes of the lions appear bigger in the Ashoka’s pillar at Sarnath,” the art historian added. Siva Kumar had taught in Visva-Bharati’s Kala Bhavan for over four decades and is one of the eminent ...