All forms of Buddhist architecture include three primary structures: vihara, stupa, and chaitya-griha. Of these three, stupas were an important characteristic feature of Buddhist architecture as they were more of a form of structure than a building and held great importance to Buddhists as places to venerate relics of famous monks who either lived or were renowned there.
Stupas are originally constructed from brick and are in the form of a hemispherical dome. Its surface is then polished with a layer of thick lime for a smooth finish. Although stupas in different parts of the world followed slightly different patterns, most of them included the following parts:
- Chattra
The topmost part of the stupa includes Chattra. It is either made from wood or stone and is a three-layered structure that is shaped in the form of an umbrella. The pedestal on top of which it sits is the altar of sacrifice during the vedic times and characterises the village shrine.
- Harmika
Harmika is the squarish decorative balcony that is meant to surround the pedestal on the top of the structure.
- Anda
Anda is the brick structure that forms the basis of the stupa, the dome itself.
- Torana
Just like the gates of the Aryan village, these are ceremonial gateways that are placed in the central part of the structure, the gateway.
- Medhi
Medhi refers to a pedestrian path that was constructed for devotees in order to allow them to pay homage to the stupa.
Prominent Stupas
Sanchi Stupa
Sanchi Stupa built famously in 3rd Century BC during the efforts to propagate Buddhism by King Ashoka, is a prime example of stupas constructed during this time as it includes all the above-mentioned parts in great detail and intricacy. It was also reconstructed three times later during the Shunga, Satavahana, and Gupta periods. Other notable stupas built during this time include stupas in Sarnath, Amaravati, Bharhut.
Borobudur Stupa
The Borobudur Buddhist temple was constructed in the 9th century and is one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world. Located in Java, Indonesia, the monument includes nine platforms stacked on top of each other with a central dome on top. The stupa in this monument is believed to have been constructed most elaborately.
Jetavanaramaya Stupa
It is, in fact, the tallest stupa built to date and is located in the historical city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
