Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath, India

Dhamekh Stupa, Isipathana Deer Park, Sarnath.


Dhamekh Stupa (also written as Dhamekha) is considered the sacred place where the voice of Buddhism was first heard. Located in Sarnath, India, it is 28.5m in diameter and 42.6m in height. Dhamekh Stupa was built partly in stone and partly in brick. The stone facing the lower part is adorned with delicate floral carvings of Gupta origin, many of which are still visible today. When I visited, the entry fee to view the Dhamekh Stupa is US$2 or Rs100 for foreigners, whereas for locals, only Rs5.

In search of the relic casket, the archaeologiest Alexander Cunningham bore a shaft from the top centre of the stupa. At a depth of 91.4cm, he discovered a stone tablet on which an inscription of 6th-7th century AD, in Brahmi script with the word Dhamekha. It mentions that this is the spot where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. Dhamekha seems to be a distorted form of Dharma Chakra which means "turning the wheel of the Dharma (law)". Further below he traced out a stupa made of Mauryan bricks.

It is said that the Dhamekh Stupa marks the spot where the five ascetics who left Gautama Buddha in Bodh Gaya used to live in huts, and it was on that spot that Buddha first preached to them. The original stupa was constructed by Ashoka. The present size of the stupa is 31.3 m high and 28.3 m in diameter. The lower portion of the stupa is covered completely with beautifully carved stones. The design consists of a broad band of Swastika (fylfot) carved in different geometrical patterns with a finely chiselled lotus wreath, running over and below the swastikas.

Many dignitaries of Buddhist countries visit this place for circumambulation of this sacred stupa and to worship the Buddha. Tibetans Buddhist circumambulate it chanting the mantra 'Om mani padme hum'. The first discourse of the Buddha was on the 'Wheel of Law'. The wheel symbolises samsara (world), the eternal round of existence which goes on and on, life after life because of ceaseless cravings and desire.

The delicate floral carvings of the Dhamekh Stupa.


Gold leaves left by pilgrims on the Dhamekh Stupa.


Looking up at the Dhamekh Stupa, you will see green parakeets which are fairly common throughout India.


Someone left this red rose at the Dhamekh Stupa.

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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

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