Apart from the fact the Lord Buddha meditated and gave his first sermon here, and even was buried here, Sarnath also holds importance to Buddhist followers because the original Buddhist Sangh was formed here. The world-famed mantra ‘Buddham Sharanam Gachhami’ originated in Sarnath. While breathing his last, Buddha also said to his followers to consider Sarnath, Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar as sacred places.