Chaukhandi Stupa, Sarnath

The Chaukhandi Stupa is regarded as one of the most divine and important monuments of the Buddhist culture. This stupa has been built on a small hill. The Chaukhandi Stupa is the farthest of all the monuments in Sarnath. If you are coming from Varanasi, it lies first and can be spotted on the left side. The stupa marks the spot where Buddha was reunited with the pancha vargiya bhikshus, his five companions who had previously deserted him at Rajgir near Gaya.

This is the exact spot where the great Lord Buddha first met his five ascetics- to whom he later went on to preach his first teachings. The monument has been erected as a commemoration of this significant event that eventually became instrumental in the rise of Buddhism..

The divinity of the monument is felt in the air that surrounds it. A tranquil vibe of piousness fills up the air, and you can feel each breath of this pure air cleansing your soul. Staring at this majestic structure leaves you in awe of its magnanimous stature and unmatched beauty.

Chaukhandi Stupa was originally constructed in the 5th Century AD. The structure which stands atop a terraced rectangular plinth is capped by a relatively new octagonal Mughal tower. It was built by Akbar in 1589 AD to commemorate his father Humayun’s visit to the site.

 It is considered a big blessing to have a walk around the Chaukhandi Stupa. In the garden adjacent to the stupa, there, usually, are many tourists making prayers in their colorful robes and praying “Buddham Sharnam Gacchami” to make their journey successful and prayers in a soulful voice. Some of the best views of Chaukhandi Stupa can be had from the Garden of Spiritual Wisdom at the time of sunset, when the light comes from behind and imparts a beautiful hue to the stupa.
Some images of the Buddha and other statues found in excavations at Chaukhandi Stupa are said to be rare artifacts and classic examples of art from the Gupta period.