Chaukhandi Stupa

Chaukhandi Stupa is a Buddhist stupa in Sarnath located 8 kilometres from Cantt Railway Station in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The site was declared to be a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India in June 2019. ^[1]

Chaukhandi Stupa
Chaukhandi Stupa
Religion
Affiliation	Buddhism
Status	Preserved
Location
Location	Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
State	Uttar Pradesh
Shown within India
Geographic coordinates	25.374102°N 83.023658°E / 25.374102; 83.023658

History

The Chaukhandi Stupa is thought originally to have been built as a terraced temple during the 7th and 8th centuries to mark the site where Buddha and his first disciples met traveling from Bodh Gaya to Sarnath. Later Govardhan, the son of a Raja Todar Mal, modified the stupa to its present shape by building the octagonal tower to commemorate the visit of Humayun, the Mughal ruler.

Today the stupa is a high earthen mound covered with a brickwork edifice topped by an octagonal tower. It is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Various plinths at the Chaukhandi Stupa

Close up of Chaukhandi Stupa plinth

See also

• Dhamek Stupa
• Sarnath
• List of Buddhist temples