Chaukhandi Stupa

The city of Varanasi has an inalienable bond with Buddhism and Chaukhandi Stupa located eight kilometres from the Cantonment Railway Station is one the most important Buddhist stupas here. The Chaukhandi Stupa is believed to have been built initially as a terraced temple during the Gupta period between the 4th and 6th centuries to mark the site where Lord Buddha and his first disciples met while traveling from Bodh Gaya to Sarnath. It was later modified to its present shape with the addition of the octagonal tower to commemorate the visit of Mughal King Humayun. Maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India the stupa today resembles a high earthen mound covered with a brickwork edifice topped by an octagonal tower. An expansive Japanese style park has been created just behind the stupa and the entire complex ranks as among the favorite places for both locals and tourists to sit back and relax awhile.