Mulagandha Kuti Vihar

Situated near the main chowk of Sarnath, where the roads divides, the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar monastery was built in 1931 with donations from various countries and the international Buddhist community. There are spires on top of the huge building that make it seem like a church. The Vihara is enshrined with the sacred relics of Sakyamuni Buddha. It is open from sunrise to sunset and entry is free. It was built by Angarika Dharmapala, who was the founder of Mahabodhi society and is still maintained and run by the Mahabodhi Society. The building itself is very pretty and the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar has become one of Sarnath’s greatest attractions for tourists. It is said that the consecration drew devotees from all over the world to witness and seek blessings.
The entrance foyer is decorated by a huge bell that was gifted by Japan and the interior houses a golden statue of the Buddha on a marble platform. The insides are completely dominated by fresco-covered walls depicting scenes from Buddha’s life and are made by Japanese artist Kosetsu Nosu and are said to have been completed in 1936. The frescoes are an excellent source of knowledge if someone is interested in knowing more about life of the Buddha right from his birth to the attainment of Mahaparinirvana.