The document presents an overview of Sarnath, highlighting its significance as a Buddhist site with notable stupas including the Dhamekh, Dharmarajika, and Chaukhandi stupas, as well as Ashoka's pillar. Each stupa is detailed in terms of its construction, dimensions, artistic features, and historical context. Sarnath is portrayed as a vital location of spiritual and architectural importance, visited by renowned travelers throughout history.

1. A Presentation on
Architecture of Sarnath
(Stupas)
Presented by:
Sarang Barbarwar
B.Arch , IIIrd Sem

2. STUPAS AT SARNATH

3. Sarnath – an Overview
Sarnath derived from ‘Sarang Nath’ meaning ‘Lord of the
Deers’ i.e, Gautama Buddha. Famous foreign travellers such
as Fa-Hien and Hiuen-Tsang visited Sarnath during the 5th
and 7th
centuries respectively.
The main sites at Sarnath include three Stupas , a Main
Shrine and a few Monasteries. The three Stupas are:
 The Chaukhandi Stupa
 The Dhamekh Stupa
 The Dharamrajika Stupa
It is noteworthy that apart from these sites an important
remain found here is the Ashoka’s Pillar.

4. SITE PLAN

5. Stupa: A Stupa is a solid hemispherical structure built to
enshrine the corporeal remains of Lord Buddha, or
as a memorial of some remarkable event.
Types of Stupas:
Relic Stupa
Commemorial Stupa
Object Stupa
Symbolic Stupa
Votive Stupa
Stupa – Introduction and Types

6. The
Dharamrajika
Stupa

7. Sarnath- The Dharamrajika Stupa
• Built by Ashoka to enshrine the relics of Lord Buddha.
• Typical hemispheric Stupa with umbrella and railings.
• Is made out of concentric layers of wedge-shaped bricks.
•Originally had a 49’ diameter, after enlargement attained
110’ diameter.
• Rebuilt or restored six different times, included additions
like a pradakshina path of 15’ width, railings 4’5’’ high and
doorways on cardinal points.
• Had a relic casket with bones of Buddha and a few pearls.
• The Stupa was unfortunately destroyed by Jagat Singh of
Benares in order to exploit the building materials in 1794
A.D.

8. The
Dhamekh
Stupa

9. Sarnath- The Dhamekh Stupa
• Built by Ashoka in the 249 B.C.E. and modified time to
time.
•143’ high Stupa including the foundation.
• Lower part made up of stones, and upper part of bricks.
• Has a diameter of about 93’ at the base.
• The stone portion is carved beautifully with floral patterns
and geometric designs.
• It has eight projections of lotus petal shape and each has a
niche which had an image of Lord Buddha.
• Has a circumambulatory path.
• Has a Jaina temple adjoining to it.

10. The Carvings
on Dhamekh
Stupa

11. The
Chaukhandi
Stupa

12. Sarnath- The Chaukhandi Stupa
• Chaukhandi in local language means Square edifice.
• Stands on a basement consisting of 3 terraces each 12’
high and 12’ broad.
•Estimated to have had a height of 200’.
•The core is made of solid brickwork in clay mortar, the
terraces are supported on rows of hollow cells.
•Surmounted by a tower octagonal in shape built in 1585
A.D. Akbar to memorize the visit of HUMAYUN.
• Buddha met his 5 disciples at this place.

13. The Ashoka’s
Pillar

14. Sarnath- Ashoka’s pillar
• Stood in the Deer Park near the Dharamrajika Stupa.
• Has a spoked wheel (Dharamchakra) depicting prevalance
of Law.
• Four lions each in one direction showing that Ashoka ruled
in all directions.
• Has animals carved over it depicting different life stages of
Buddha.