Chaukhandi Stupa Varanasi

Marking the spot where Lord Buddha met five ascetics, Chaukhandi Stupa is said to have developed from a centuries-old burial mound. Tracing its history from the 5th-century AD, Chaukhandi Stupa is one of the most important Buddhist religious centers in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. The present shape of the Chaukhandi Stupa dates back to the 16th century.

It was Govardhan, the son of Raja Todarmal, who built the stupa in an octagonal shape. At present, the stupa site is under the administration of the Archaeological Survey of India. The surreal setting around this place includes impeccable serenity and verdant greenery.

On a whole, Chaukhandi Stupa is a perfect place to meditate and attain peace of mind. In the vicinity of this popular Buddhist stupa in Sarnath, ruins of centuries-old monasteries, which also include verandas and courtyards, can also be seen. Such is the charm of Chaukhandi Stupa that Buddhist followers from around the world visit the place, and hence, the site holds immense religious importance.

History of Chaukhandi Stupa

The history of this renowned historical site in Sarnath dates back to the Gupta Period. Chaukhandi Stupa is the place where Lord Buddha and his first five apostles met while traveling from Bodhgaya to Sarnath. However, later in the 16th century, the present structure, which is octagonal, was built as a gesture to welcome the Mughal emperor - Humayun. There is another story that revolves around the construction of this stupa.

It goes like this: in the year 1588, the great Mughal emperor - Akbar ordered Govardhan (his finance secretary) to construct an octagonal tower on the top of Chaukhandi Stupa. There is a Persian inscription written on the doorways of the stupa saying that the king of seven climes - Humayun is residing in paradise. He had a wish to visit this place one day to sit and to increase the grandeur of the sun. Therefore, a lofty tower was built by Akbar.

Architecture of Chaukhandi Stupa

The structure of the Chaukhandi Stupa is mainly built of bricks and hence is quite fragile. This has led the Archaeological Survey of India to take the matter into their hands and have taken over the responsibility of the care and maintenance of this majestic structure. Named after its shape, the Chaukhandi Stupa is a square edifice that stands on a basement that consists of three terraces, each 12 feet broad and 12 feet high.

The overall height of the structure is about 200 feet. The core of the structure is made of solid brickwork in clay mortar, and the terraces are supported on rows of hollow cells. Standing on a rectangular plinth and surrounded by a mighty octagonal tower on all sides, the Chuakhandi Stupa is undoubtedly a beautiful piece of work.