Stupa Zurmala

The Zurmala Stupa, standing at 12 meters high, is a significant Buddhist monument located in the northeastern part of the ruins of Ancient Termez. This stupa dates back to the Kushan period, approximately the 1st to 2nd centuries BC, when Buddhism was the dominant religion in Central Asia.

The ancient city of Termez, situated about 10 kilometers west of the present-day city, was once home to a vast array of Buddhist structures that extended across agricultural lands in the Middle Ages. Over time, the Zurmala Stupa has weathered significantly, transforming from its original distinct form into a nearly indistinguishable mound of clay. Today, it can be challenging to recognize it as a Buddhist ritual edifice.

Historically, Zurmala held considerable religious importance. Like other stupas found across Central and Southeast Asia, it represented the death and burial of the Buddha. The term «stupa» itself translates from Sanskrit to mean «a heap of stones» or «a mound,» symbolizing the memorialization of the Buddha. The design of such stupas later evolved into the pagoda structures seen in China, Korea, Japan, and other southeastern regions.