The majestic Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath in Varanasi

One of the architectural marvels from the Ashokan era is the huge Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath.The Dhamek Stupa is a44 m high round tower, 27 meter in diameter standing on a stone base made of bricks with ornamental stonework in some places and narrows down in diameter as it moves up. The Dhamek Stupa is again from Asoka’s time, 3rd century BC.

A burnt clay tablet that was found at this spot denoted the stupa as “Dhamaka” which means that it marks the spot where Lord Buddha addressed the five disciples setting the “Wheel of Dhamma” in motion. Buddhist pilgrims and followers perform a right handed circumambulation of the Dhamek stupa as a mark of devotion. The stupa is completely solid like all stupas and cannot be entered.