Signifificance of Dhamek Stupa

History of Dhamek Stupa

1. Following the parinirvana of Lord Buddha, His mortal remains after cremation were distributed and buried under 8 mounds and the embers and urn were placed under 2 other mounds making a total count of 10 such monuments consisting the relics of Lord Buddha. 2. Although lack of proper information regarding such ancient monuments made it difficult to identify the original 10 mounds consisting of the relics of Lord Buddha, it appears that the Stupas at Sanchi and Sarnath are elaborative and decorative expansions of two such original mounds. 3. Great Indian Emperor, Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty who reigned over almost the entire Indian subcontinent from c.268 to 232 BCE endeavoured in building several Stupas consisting of relics of Lord Buddha and His disciples across India in his pursuit to spread 4. Buddhism. 5. In 249 BCE he commissioned to build the Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath which was later reconstructed in 500 CE along with construction of various other structures in Sarnath. 6. Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, translator and traveller Xuanzang visited Sarnath in 640 CE during which time he recorded the height