Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath
Dhamek Stupa is one of the famous Buddhist monument located in Sarnath near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. Originally built in 249 BCE by King Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty. This massive structure has over time gone through several expansions and additions. This solid cylindrical shaped Stupa made of red bricks and stone in its present position stands at a height of 33.6 m with a diameter of 28 m.
The significance of this Dhamekh Stupa in Sarnath is that it marks the spot where Lord Buddha preached the first sermon to His five disciples after attaining enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. Buddhist pilgrims from around the world visit Sarnath to circumambulate the holy Stupa and worship Lord Buddha. National and international tourists also flock at Sarnath to get a glimpse of Buddhist architecture and culture at this significant centre of Buddhism..
Architecture
Dhamek Stupa is cylindrical in shape and built with red bricks and Chunar sandstones with the lower part being entirely covered with carved stones. Probably the base of the Stupa dates back to the Ashokan period. It contains eight niches facing 8 directions that were possibly containing Buddha’s image. On the wall of the stupa is ornamented with magnificently sculpted floral and geometrical designs carvings that manifest a high level of craftsmanship on stone during the period of the Gupta Dynasty.
Significance of Damek Stupa
History says after Lord Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, He gave His first sermon to five disciples at this spot. Sarnath is also known as Rishipattana, Isipatana, Mrigadava and Migadaya. This famous event in the life of Lord Buddha is called the ‘Dharma Chakra Pravartana’ or setting the ‘Wheel of Law’ in motion. For Buddhists, this place marks as one of the four most sacred places associated with Lord Buddha with the other three being Lumbini, the site of birth; Bodhgaya, the site of enlightenment; and Kushinagar, the site of nirvana of Lord Buddha.
This place also marks the foundation of the first ‘Sangh’ that included Lord Buddha and around 60 monks among others. The place became significant archaeologically when in 1798 Mr. J. Duncan reported about a stone box that contained a casket of green marble, which was exposed while the Dharmarajika Stupa was being dismantled by the workers of the Dewan of King Chet Singh of Benaras, Jagat Singh. Over time, several other excavation works were carried out in and around this structure. One such initial excavation work unearthed a stone tablet which revealed that this Stupa is known as Dhamek which historians generally believe to be a distorted form of Dharma Chakra meaning turning the Wheel of Dharma.
Buddhist pilgrims from around the world including many national and international dignitaries visit the Stupa to circumambulate it and offer prayer to Lord Buddha.
A Visit to the Sacred Stupa
Located 13 km northeast of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India, this amazing and aesthetically designed world-famous Stupa and other structures in Sarnath depicting great craftsmanship of Buddhist art and sculpture draw the attention of thousands of visitors round the year including national and international pilgrims, tourists, dignitaries, archaeologists and historians.
Visit Timing & Entrance Fee
The site remains open from sunrise to sunset and can be visited at any time of the year. Entry fees per person for Indian citizens and visitors of SAARC and BIMSTEC nations is Rs. 20/- and for others is Rs. 300/-. Entry is free for children up to 15 years of age.
