Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath

Address

Dhamek Stupa Dharmapala Rd, Singhpur, Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221007

Diety

Bodh Gaya

Introduction

Dhamek Stupa which is also spelled as Dhamekh and Dhamekha is one of the most famous and Buddhist stupas located in Sarnath near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. Originally built in 249 BCE during the reign of king Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty, this massive and prominent 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 43.6 m with a diameter of 28 m. The significance of this sacred place 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. Lord Buddha visited Sarnath and while staying here he performed meditation. Thus 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.

Puranic Significance

History says after Lord Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, He gave His first sermon to five disciples at this spot which throughout its long history has been variously known as Rishipattana, Lord Buddha, His mortal remains after cremation were distributed and buried under 8 mounds and the embers and urn were placed under 2 other mounds making a total count of 10 such monuments consisting the relics of Lord Buddha. Although lack of proper information regarding such ancient monuments made it difficult to identify the original 10 mounds consisting of the relics of Lord Buddha, it appears that the Stupas at Sanchi and Sarnath are elaborative and decorative expansions of two such original mounds. Great Indian Emperor, Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty who reigned over almost the entire Indian subcontinent from c. 268 to 232 BCE endeavoured in building several Stupas consisting of relics of Lord Buddha and His disciples across India in his pursuit to spread Buddhism. In 249 BCE he commissioned to build the Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath which was later reconstructed in 500 CE along with construction of various other structures in Sarnath. Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, translator and traveller Xuanzang visited Sarnath in 640 CE during which time he recorded the height of the Stupa to be around 91 m and mentioned presence of 1500 priests in the colony.