The largest of the stupas at the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple is also the oldest. The inner section was built in 1805. Then it was encased with a golden shell in 1838. A stupa (also called a chedi) in its current form was first used to bury Shakyamuni Buddha over 2,500 years ago. The most revered stupas around the world contain a Buddha relic. Others are used as a mausoleum for religious followers. The bell shape of this stupa represents nirvana.