Didarganj Yakshi
Stupas
A stupa is a solid domical structure of brick or stone, resting on a round base.
It is surmounted by a shaft and an umbrella, the symbol of spiritual
sovereignty. Sometimes a stupa was surrounded by a plain or ornamented
stone railing running all round having one or more gateways, which were
often decorated with rich sculptures. The main purpose of building a stupa
was to enshrine some relics of Buddha or some great Buddhist monk, or to
commemorate some Buddhist sacred place.
    Asoka is credited with building 84,000 stupas all over India and
Afghanistan. Hiuen Tsang, during his visit to India (seventh century AD), is
said to have seen a considerable number of these stupas, but majority of them