In Uttar Pradesh lies one of the most revered and visited Buddhist structures which is the spot where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Built by the great Mauryan emperor Ashoka, the Dhamek Stupa lies inside the deer park in Sarnath.
Apart from this extraordinary structure, Sarnath is also home to several stupas and excavated ruins of age-old monasteries, temples, museums with artefacts and detailed gardens. All these are extensively covered on IRCTC’s Buddhist Circuit Train Tour.
The Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train takes you on a delightful Buddha stupa sarnath tour covering all the tourist attractions which are closely associated with Buddha. Buddhist teachings and principles had a major impact on the people of Sarnath and that of the world as they took an instant liking to its doctrines.
“Dhamek Stupa” has a distinct architectural pattern and is a cylindrical tower that is 43.6 m high and 28 m in diameter. The massive structure is built entirely of bricks and stones. The lower portion of the stupa is covered in stones that are chiseled with intricate floral carvings. Around the borders of the stupa are detailed figures of humans and birds. There are arched niches in the monument which once held Lord Buddha’s statues.
This is not all as Dhamek Stupa has a broad band of Swastikas which were carved in various geometrical patterns with a chiseled lotus wreath running over and below the carvings. Moreover, the large size of the current stupa was not always this as the stupa has been expanded and enlarged as much as 12 times in the course of history.
IRCTC BUDDHIST TRAIN AMENITIES
The “Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train” has been in operation for the past 10 years. Initially, started with Rajdhani coaches the deluxe train now comprises of 12 state of the art LHB coaches, 4 first AC coaches, 2 second AC coaches, 1 kitchen car, 2 Dinning Cars, 1 staff car and 2 power cars. The train is equipped with a range of amenities like individual lockers for safe storage, showers with geysers, mini library for reading, foot massagers and newly installed single sofa seats for panoramic views.