Stupa at Sarnath

Located in Uttar Pradesh is situated at a distance of 8 km from Varanasi Cant railway station. Sarnath is a most holy place for Buddhist as Buddha preached his first sermon here (Rishipatana) and expounded four noble truths.

Ashoka, the great Mauryan ruler started significant constructions at the spot where Buddha had turned the wheel of law in motion and constructed the great Dharmarajika Stupa about 30.4 mt high which was crowned at its top by a monolithic railing, some shrines along with the creation of the monolithic pillar topped by the famous lion capital. In 1794 CE one Jagat Singh of Varanasi pulled down the Dharmarajika Stupa for collection of raw materials and in due course a reliquary within a stone box came to light but was thrown in the Ganges by him. The original structure raised by Ashoka was 13.49 meter in diameter with brick size (49.5x36.8x6.4cm) and wedge shaped (41.9x31.7x8.8cm).

Cunningham measured Dhameka Stupas diameter at the base is 93 feet and its height 110 feet. It is a solid cylindrical tower, 28.50 meters in diameter at the base and 33.53 meter in height. The structure consists of a circular stone drum to a height of 11.20 meters resting on the ground without the usual rectangular basement. Above the drum rises the cylindrical mass of brick work. Halfway up the base are existing eight niches in regular intervals which must have held images. Immediately below them runs a broad course of elaborate carvings with geometrical and floral patterns combined with birds and human figures of Gupta style on grey sand stone. This large scale surface decoration shows the high achievement of Gupta workmanship in designing most intricate scroll pattern. It is not unlikely that it marks the spot of the preaching of the Dharma by the Buddha.