{"id":738343,"date":"2024-07-01T15:45:11","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T10:15:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/traveltriangle.com\/blog\/?p=738343"},"modified":"2024-07-01T15:47:13","modified_gmt":"2024-07-01T10:17:13","slug":"visit-dhamek-stupa-in-sarnath-for-a-spiritual-gateway-in-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traveltriangle.com\/blog\/dhamek-stupa\/","title":{"rendered":"Visit Dhamek Stupa In Sarnath For A Spiritual Gateway In 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Located in Sarnath, Dhamek Stupa <\/strong>in Uttar Pradesh is where Gautam Buddha is said to have held his first dialogue with his first five disciples. Moreover, it is also the site where the five found liberation, thus leading to the formation of the sangha. The word Dhamek translates to \u201cpondering the law\u201d in Sanskrit. This structure is the biggest one at the archaeological site of Sarnath and is in the shape of a cylinder with the walls featuring a number of intricately carved human and animal figures as well as text. <\/em><\/p>\n

About Dhamek Stupa<\/h2>\n
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Image Credit: R. M. Calamar for Wikimedia Commons <\/a><\/p>\n

Dhamel Stupa at Uttar Pradesh\u2019s archaeological site of Sarnath was built sometime between the 5th and 6th century AD and is said to stand on the very spot where Gautam Buddha supposedly shared his first discourse with his first five disciples who were Bhaddiya, Mahanama, Kaundinya, Vappa and Assaji. It is believed that they attained liberation here and therefore led to the sangha\u2019s formation. The stupa\u2019s name comes from the Sanskrit word dharmeks\u0101 which translates to \u201cpondering the law.\u201d It happens to be the biggest building in Sarnath, standing tall at about 4 metres and is in the shape of a cylinder. The structure is made out of bricks and stone; its the lower part of the stupa dates back to Ashoka the Great of the Mauryan Empire while the other part seems to date back to the Gupta period. The walls have beautiful carvings of human and animal figures, flowers, and inscriptions in the Brahmi script.<\/p>\n

Dhamek Stupa has undergone construction for its enlargement 6 times but the upper part still remains unfinished. According to archaeologists, it is probable that the stupa\u2019s expansion was ordered by Ashoka but there is evidence to suggest that the structure that stands today dates back to the Gupta period. It is also believed that Dhamek Stupa is one of the eight stupas under which lay Buddha\u2019s ashes following his parinirvana.
\nSeveral archaeologists, both Indian and international, have excavated the site. Moreover, close to the stupa lies an Ashoka pillar with a lion capital.<\/p>\n

Must Read:<\/strong> Things To Do In Sarnath<\/a><\/p>\n

Sarnath And Its Importance In Buddhism<\/h2>\n
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Image Credit: Nikhil2789 for Wikimedia Commons <\/a><\/p>\n

Sarnath, an archaeological site in Uttar Pradesh, is close to the Ganges and Varuna rivers. It is one of the most important sites in the world when it comes to Buddhism as it is believed to be where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon following his enlightenment and also where the sangha was formed owing to the enlightenment of his five disciples. Its name, which means \u201cLord of the Deer,\u201d comes from the Sanskrit word S\u0101rangan\u0101tha; according to a Buddhist legend, the Bodhisattva was a deer who offered its life in the place of a doe that was to be killed by a king. Gautam Buddha is said to have deemed Sarnath as one of the four pilgrimage sites that Buddhists must visit, alongside Bodh Gaya, Lumbini and Kushinagar.<\/p>\n

Buddhism was quite prominent in Sarnath for centuries and also went on to become a major centre for learning. It was where the Sammatiya school of Buddhism was located. Sarnath was also a centre for spreading art and architecture and was home to a monastery for monks. However, evidence has shown that Sarnath was not only a hub for Buddhism but was also somewhat influenced by Hinduism and Jainism.<\/p>\n

Top Attractions To Visit In Sarnath<\/h2>\n
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Image Credit: Maskaravivek for Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n

The following are 5 attractions to visit in Sarnath besides the Dhamek Stupa:<\/p>\n