Stupa

A Buddhist monument consisting of a circular or hemispherical mound with a domelike casing of stone, often tiled, and intended to contain relics of the Buddha or of a Buddhist saint. Existing in China, Japan, Korea, India, Java, and Southeast Asia, stupas are often the focus of a monastery. They are surrounded by a decorative railing showing the Buddha's life and mythological figures. The Mauryan emperor Asoka is said to have built 84,000 stupas, including the most famous at Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh, c 2nd century BC). Hindus of the Jainist sect built stupas commemorating saints.

Indian burial monument. Stupas were the tombs of Buddhist holy men and often became shrines. Built of brick or stone, stupas are domed structures, surrounded by a decorated railing. The Mauryan emperor Asoka is said to have built 84,000 stupas; one of the most famous is at Sanchi. See also Buddhism (India).