Chaukhandi Stupa, Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh India

Chaukhandi Stupa is one of the important Buddhist Stupas at Sarnath. It is a lofty mound of brick, whose square edifice is surrounded by an octagonal tower. The Chaukhandi Stupa is said to be originally a terraced temple during the Gupta period (4th to 6th Century). Govardhan, the son of Raja Todarmal, gave the present shape to the Chaukhandi Stupa. He built an octagonal tower to commemorate the visit of Humayun, the great Mughal ruler. Chaukhandi Stupa was built to mark the place where Lord Buddha met his first disciples as he traveled from Bodh Gaya to Sarnath. Today, the Chaukhandi stupa stands neatly in lush green lawns, well maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. Draped in the calmness and mystery of history, the Chaukhandi Stupa forms a gateway to the Buddhist city of Sarnath. Another important Buddhist attraction in Sarnath is Chaukhandi Stupa. It is located about 13Kms from Varanasi. Stupas serve as shrine for relic of the Buddha and also are descendents of burial mounds.

It is said that Chaukhandi Stupa was originally built as a terraced temple during the Gupta period, between the 4th and 6th Century. This was erected to mark the place where Lord Buddha and his first disciples met traveling from Bodh Gaya to Sarnath. The octagonal tower on the top of the ancient stupa was added during the medieval period. By the order of the Mughal emperor Akbar, Govardhan, the son of Raja Todarmal, the finance secretary in Akbar’s court, built this octagonal tower on top of the stupa in 1588.

Located about 13 kilometres from Varanasi in Sarnath, Chaukhandi Stupa is greatly revered by the Buddhist community. Stupas trace their roots to burial moulds and house relics related to Buddha. It is believed that the Chaukhandi stupa was originally built as a terraced temple during the Gupta period between the 4th to 6th century to commemorate the site where Buddha first met his first disciples while traveling to Sarnath from Bodh Gaya.

The stupa was later modified to its present shape when the octagonal tower was added to commemorate the visit of Mughal Emperor Humayun. If you are visiting Chaunkhandi stupa, you may also wish to visit the nearby attractions such as the site of the Asoka pillar, Dhamekha stupa, Dharmajika stupa, Dharmachakra stupa, and Mulagandhakuti temple.