Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath/धमक स्तूप, सारनाथ, Sarnath, Varanashi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

The visit to this Dhamek Stupa and the excavated site around the Stupa at Sarnath, one of the UNESCO Monuments (listed in the 1998 tentative list was a part of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 Tour, between 05^th February to 08^th February 2025, organized by Mantra Yatra (website). Thanks to Mr. Balaji Davey and his team of Mantra Yatra for the excellent arrangement and personal care. We went to the Sarnath Buddhist monument, where Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment before departing for Chennai.

As per the UNESCO website, there are several monuments at Sarnath, which are divided into two groups. Under Group 'A' Chaukhandi Stupa and under Group 'B all other, monuments at the sites i.e. Stupas, monasteries, temples, etc. Chaukhandi Stupa is a lofty brick structure crowned with an octagonal tower. The octagonal tower is a Mughal monument built by Goverdhan, the son of Raja Todarmal, in 1588 CE to commemorate the visit of Humayun to this place. The second group, which contains remains of several stupas, monasteries, and Ashokan columns, is built in brick and stone and datable from the 3rd century B.C.E. to the 12th century C.E., forms the major and important segment of the site. The Ashokan column Dharamrajika stupa, Dhameka stupa, the remains of the temple, and a series of monasteries and votive stupas are the most important remains of the site.

PC website

PC website- on the right is the SinhPuri Shri Digamber Jain Temple (Shreyanshnath birthplace)

Dhamek Stupa is one of the most important sights in Sarnath, and it’s mostly due to its antiquity and significance of being the exact spot of Buddha’s first sermon. It was here that he revealed the eightfold path leading to nirvana. The stupa is composed of a cylindrical tower that rises around 43m, and the diameter of the monument is a formidable 28m. The arched niches halfway up the monument may have once held statues of the Buddha. There are lovely, elaborate carvings halfway up the monument on some sides.

The reconstruction was done using some temple remains

Dhamek Stupa is said to have been built in the year 500 CE, although the construction was ordered by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd Century BC. There’s a small museum right after the entrance that has a few basic details of the monument. The monument is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and is well-maintained with manicured gardens and benches with trees providing shade on hot afternoons.

(Now in the Sarnath Museum)

PC website

Ref:

ASI display board.

Wikipedia.

LOCATION OF THE STUPA: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---