Dhamek Stupa

Dhamek Stupa at Sarnath is one of the most significant and best-preserved Buddhist monuments in India. Built in the 5th century CE during the Gupta period and later modified, it marks the exact spot where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon (Dhammachakkapavattana Sutta) to his five disciples after attaining enlightenment. The cylindrical stupa rises to a height of 43.6 metres and is covered with intricate floral carvings and geometric patterns. Excavations around the stupa have revealed the foundations of earlier stupas and monasteries. The ASI-maintained site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major destination for Buddhists worldwide.