Dhamek Stupa

Dharmapala Rd, Singhpur, Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221007, India.

This sacred Dhamek stupa marked the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon to his five disciples after attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya. Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world visit Sarnath to go around the sacred Stupa and worship the Buddha. Attracts the attention of thousands of visitors year-round including domestic and international pilgrims, tourists, dignitaries, archaeologists and historians.

Dhamek Stupa also known as Dhamekh and Dhamekha is one of the most famous Buddhist stupas located at Sarnath near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. Originally built in 249 BC during the reign of King Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty, this massive and striking structure has undergone countless expansions and additions over time.

The solid cylindrical stupa made of red brick and stone in its present location is 43.6 m high and 28 m in diameter. Perhaps the base of the Stupa dates back to the Ashokan period. Sandstone covered with veneers surrounds the structure to a height of 11.2 m and recesses face in 8 directions. The stone facing under the recesses is decorated with ornate carvings that demonstrate the high level of stone craftsmanship during the Gupta Dynasty. Inscriptions are engraved on the walls of the Stupa along with ornately sculpted geometric and floral designs and figurines of birds and people.

After Nirvana the Buddha's remains after cremation were distributed and buried under 8 mounds of earth and the ashes and urns were placed under 2 other mounds, making a total of 10 such monuments including the relics of Buddha. Although the lack of information on ancient monuments makes it difficult to identify the original 10 mounds that included the Buddha's relics, it seems likely that the Stupas at Sanchi and Sarnath are two such mounds. The great Indian emperor, Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty, who ruled over nearly the entire Indian subcontinent from 268 to 232 BC, attempted to build several Stupas including relics of Buddha and his disciples. His disciples throughout India to pursue the spread of Buddhism. In 249 BC, he was commissioned to build the Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath, which was then rebuilt in 500 AD along with the construction of many other structures in Sarnath. The Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, translator and traveler, Xuanzang visited Sarnath in 640 AD, during which time he recorded the height of the Stupa as about 91 m and mentioned the presence of the stupa. representative of 1500 monks here.

Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world including many national and international dignitaries visit the Stupa to go around it and offer prayers to the Buddha.

Opening hours: 06:00 - 17:00

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