The Dharmarajika stupa, built by the emperor Ashoka to enshrine the Buddha's relics, is situated at a short distance of Dhamek stupa(the spot where Buddha gave first sermon) in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. Standing high on a circular base, the original stupa was enlarged during the Gupta's period, which again when destroyed by repeated foreign invasions of India, got reconstructed in the British era. Having faced several ups and downs with a passage of time, today the Dhararajika stupa is one of the one of the holiest structures venerated by the Buddhists.


Sarnath
Sarnath, the place chosen by the Buddha to deliver His first teachings on middle path, is located in the north eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India. The source of the wheel of Dharma propounded by Lord Buddha, Sarnath is privileged to be one of the four major holy Buddhist sites, the others being Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar.


Other Attractions

• Dhamekha Stupa : Dhamekha Stupa, which signifies 'the seat of the holy Buddha', is the largest and holiest Buddhist structure in Sarnath as it is the spot where the Buddha is believed to have preached His first sermon. The size of the Stupa is 31.3 meter in height and 28.3 meter in diameter, while its lower part has been beautifully carved with stones and decorated with foliage, birds, flowers and other pictures.
  
  
• Choukhandi Stupa : The Choukhandi Stupa is believed to be the spot where the Buddha met His first five disciples, including his favourite one, Ananda.
  
  
• Ashoka Pillar : After becoming a Buddhist, the great Indian emperor, Ashoka paid a visit to the holy place of Sarnath. His visit of Sarnath has been commemorated by a stone pillar, better known as the Ashoka pillar.
  
  
• Deer Park : The Deer park is a sacred place for the Jains as the 11th Jain Teerthankar, Shyeyanshnath was born here. It is equally important for the Buddhists as well because the Buddha reached here first at Sarnath from Bodh Gaya.
  
  
• Mulgandhakuti Vihara : This is the site where the Buddha meditated during His monsoon retreats at Sarnath.

Sarnath, 10 kilometers away from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, is easily accessible by air, road or rail route. The nearest airport from Sarnath is at Varanasi(Babatpur), from where one can hire a taxi or auto-rickshaw or can ride a bus to cover a short journey of 20 minutes to reach Sarnath. One can take a train to Varanasi which is linked to all major cities of India by rail networks. On the other hand, taking up roadways is another major way to reach Sarnath, as it is well connected to Varanasi(10 km) and Gorakhpur by National Highway number 29.


The best months to visit the place would be from October to February, while the months of April to July should be avoided due to the extensive heat in Summers.