//
Photo: GONG JIE, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Constructed by king Ashoka in 249 BCE to commemorate his pilgrimage to the Deer Park. It is believed that the stupa marks the exact spot where the Buddha taught the five ascetics the Four Noble Truths, his first teaching after attaining enlightenment.
Dhamek Stupa is a massive stupa located in Deer Park at Sarnath in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. One of the eight most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, the Dhamek Stupa marks the location where the Buddha gave his first teaching to his first five disciples Kaundinya, Assaji, Bhaddiya, Vappa and Mahanama. All five disciples eventually became fully liberated. According to the Lalitavistara sutra, the Buddha said he chooses "Deer Park by the Hill of the Fallen Sages, outside of Varanasi" for the location of his first teachings of Buddhism.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
A Temple near Dhamekh Stupa. Accessible by main road that runs along Dhamekh Stupa. Learn about Digambara monasticism, a branch of Jain Dharma.
Dharmarajika Stupa dates back to the time of Ashoka. Sadly it is in complete ruins and only its base remains.
The ruins of the temple where the Buddha spent his first rainy season.
Only the base remains. The base of the pillar has been enclosed in a glass enclosure. The lion capital, which topped the pillar has been displayed at the nearby site museum.
A small, but impressive collection of artifacts excavated from the site. The sculptures are particularly of interest, including the Lion Capital of Ashoka, the national emblem of India. The museum building dates back to 1910 and has a red sandstone finish, which blends with the surrounding excavated ruins. The museum has 7 galleries out of which two are verandah galleries.
A very nice complex containing a park with excellent view of Dahmek Stupa, a shrine for Lord Buddha with modern murals, and a bodhi tree with prayer wheels, statue of the Buddha teaching his first 5 disciples, and the Dharmachakra sutta written in various languages. There's also sutta recitation each day 6 am and 6:30 pm