Viharin.com- Entrance at Dhamekh Stupa

Entrance at Dhamekh Stupa

One of the other crucial site to be visited as part of Varanasi tour is Dhamekh Stupa.

Viharin.com- Beautiful tree at the entrance

Beautiful tree at the entrance

Dhamekh Stupa is the point in Deer Park where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. This site is estimated to house about 1500 priests with wells. The site was destroyed by invaders and is currently under excavation. The site is under the Archaeological society of India.

Viharin.com- Dhamekh Stupa complex

Dhamekh Stupa complex

At the entrance, there were huge gardens. Very neat and clean with seating at certain places. I was amazed to see similar structures all over. There were small sections as if it was a room to some during older times. Everywhere there were stairs leading up to open space clearly indicating some inhabitants in the site long ago.

Viharin.com- Recent excavation at Dhamekh Stupa site

Recent excavation at Dhamekh Stupa site

I could also see golden very thin foil put up on monuments. As per guide, visitors to the place put up these foils as a token of worship to Lord Buddha.

Viharin.com- Golden thin foil as a token of worship to Lord Buddha

Golden thin foil as a token of worship to Lord Buddha

Viharin.com- Golden foil on walls

Golden foil on walls

There was a monolithic railing that I saw. After that a huge area enclosed with glass was displayed. That was the site of Ashoka pillars which were destroyed by invaders.

Viharin.com- Monolithic Railing

Monolithic Railing

Viharin.com- Information on Monolithic Railing

Information on Monolithic Railing

Viharin.com- Ashoka pillars destroyed

Ashoka pillars destroyed

Moving further was the main stupa Dhamekh where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. It was cylindrical in shape. I took one round of the Stupa.

Viharin.com- Dhamek Stupa

Viharin.com- Close up of Dhamekh Stupa

Close up of Dhamekh Stupa

Viharin.com- Close up

Close up

Viharin.com- Place where Monks used to live before Invader's attacks

Place where Monks used to live before Invader’s attacks

Overall, a very positively different and beautiful site. A must visit by Historians, architects, heritage and monument lovers.

Nidhi KM

©Viharin.com