Most of the pillars, though damaged to some extent still stand upright and are protected by the concerned authorities. Out of all the pillars, the most famous is the Ashokan pillar located at Sarnath.

Sarnath is famous for the magnificent Ashokan pillar which has four lions carved back-to-back. The Ashokan pillar is adopted by Indian constitution as our national emblem called Ashoka Chakra.