Dhamekh Stupa
Isipathana Deer Park, Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India

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Dhamekh Stupa (also written as Dhamekha) is considered the sacred place where the voice of Buddhism was first heard. 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.

Dhamekh Stupa, Isipathana Deer Park, Sarnath.

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.

I visited the Dhamekh Stupa with a small group of AsiaExplorers members when we were Varanasi, and we made a day-trip here. [an error occurred while processing this directive]