File:Chaukhandi Stupa 2.JPG

This lofty brick structure is a terraced Buddhist Stupa known as Chaukhandi. Because of its four armed plan. It was constructed during Gupta period (Circa 4th to 5th Century A.D.) and marks the probable spot where lord Buddha met his Five Erstwhile companions after enlightenment this stupa also find mention the accounts of Huentsiang, the celebrated Chinese travellor of 7th century A.D. The archaeological excavations conducted in 1835 and 1904-05 brought to light. This 93 feet high brick stupa laid in mud mortar having three diminishing square terraces, each about 12 feet high and 12 feet broad. Each terrace is supported by an outer and inner wall with a number of cross walls to strengthen. The structure the outer walls of the terraces are ornamented with a series of niches separated by pilasters. The image of Buddha in Dharamchakra Pravartan Mudra and Leogryphs with swordsmen found at this site are excellent examples of the classic Gupta art. The octagonal brick tower crowing the Stupa is a Mughal structure erected in 1588 A.D. by Govardhan, son of Raj Todarmal, to commemorate the visit of Humayun the Great Mughal, Emporer to this place, as recorded in an Arabic inscription on a stone slab above its doorway on the north side.

Dr. Manish Arora Assistant Professor Department of Applied Arts Faculty of Visual Arts Banaras Hindu University Varanasi 221005