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INTRODUCTION
Sanchi is situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh in
India. It lies at a distance of approximately 52 km
from the capital city of Bhopal and 10 km from
Vidisha. The major attractions of Sanchi include a
number of Buddhist stupas, monasteries, temples and
pillars. Sanchi is famous for outstanding specimen
of Buddhist art and architecture, belonging to the
period between the third century BC and the twelfth
century AD. The most important of all the Sanchi
monuments is the Sanchi Stupa. Stupas are large
hemispherical domes, containing a central chamber,
in which the relics of the Buddha were placed. The
Sanchi Stupa is one of the best preserved early
stupas in central India. The Sanchi Stupa is
surrounded by a railing with four carved gateways
facing all the four directions.
HISTORY OF SANCHI STUPA
Sanchi, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is globally
renowned for its many stupas, monasteries, temples
and pillars dating from the 3rd century B.C. to the
12th century A.D. The most famous amongst these, the
Sanchi Stupa 1, was built by the Mauryan Emperor
Ashoka, the then governor of Ujjaini. His daughter
and son, Sanghamitra and Mahindra respectively, were
sent to Sri Lanka where they converted the king,
queen and the local people to Buddhism.
DESCRIPTION OF SANCHI STUPA
During the Shunga period the Sanchi Stupa was
enlarged and faced with stones and decorated with
railings, staircase and a harmika on the top. Around
the main Stupa, there is a path for
circumambulation. This path is enclosed by a railing
with gates at each of the four directions. The
railings and gates of the Sanchi Stupa are richly
sculptured with different motifs and designs.
Another interesting characteristic about the Sanchi
Stupa is that Lord Buddha has been symbolically
represented by footprints, wheels, thrones etc
rather than by his own image. The gateways of Sanchi
stupas contain ornamented depiction of incidents
from the life of the Buddha and his previous
incarnations as Bodhisattvas described in the Jataka
tales. The Buddha has been shown symbolically in the
form of tree or through other inanimate figures.
The Stupa at Sanchi is one the most wonderful
structures of ancient India. It has been included by
the UNESCO as one of the heritage sites of the
world. The Sanchi Stupa is a fine example of the
development of the Buddhist architecture and
sculpture beginning from the 3rd century B.C. to the
12th century A.D. The site of Sanchi was discovered
in the year 1818 by General Taylor and an
archaeological museum was established in 1919y Sir
John Marshall.
HOW TO REACH SANCHI STUPA
Air- Bhopal airport is the nearest, situated at a
distance of approximately 46 km.
Rail- Nearest railway station is at Vidisha,
approximately 10 km from Sanchi.
Road- Sanchi is well connected to Bhopal, Vidisha
and Indore through well-laid road network.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
November to February |
