| Sanchi |
| Sanchi, located on a hilltop in the northeast of Bhopal is famous for its imposing stupas, temples, monasteries and pillars dating from 3 rd Century BC to the 12 th Century AD. The most elaborate and well known of all the suptas is Great Stupa, which was originally built by the Mauryan Emporer, Ashoka, the then governor of Ujjaini who developed Sanchi as the major Buddhist pilgrimage center. The intricately carved pillars, architectural forms, stupas, chaityas, temples and monasteries represent the finest examples of Buddhist creative art and sculpture in the country. |
| The impressive monuments depict the life of great Buddha through different symbols, which was the tradition in the early period of Buddhism. The lotus flower represents the Buddha's birth, the tree signifies his enlightenment, the Wheel connotes his first sermon and the Stupa represents his nirvana or salvation. The footprints and the throne symbols denote the Buddha's presence. UNESCO has designated the incredible stupas of Sanchi as the world heritage site. |
| Sanchi remained deserted and uncared since 14th century until a British officer of Bengal Cavalry; General Taylor rediscovered the site in 1818. Later in 1912, Sir John Marshall, the Director General of Archeology ordered the restoration work and established an archeological museum that houses the earliest known stone sculptures in Indian art. |
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| Best Time to Visit - October till March |
Pilgrimage Attractions |
| Stupas The oldest surviving Buddhist Stupas of Sanchi are globally renowned for their remarkable architectural style. These hemispherical mounds have a special religious significance in Buddhism. The most important of all are Stupa no1 (Great Stupa), Stupa no 2 and Stupa no 3. |
| Stupa no 1: Built by Emperor Asoka, the Great Stupa is the oldest stone structure in India. |
| Stupa no 2: Standing on the edge of a hill and the most striking feature of this Stupa is the stone balustrade that rings it. |
| Stupa no 3: Situated close to the great stupa, it is crowned with a hemispherical dome with an umbrella of polished stone. The innermost chamber houses the relics of Buddha’s earliest disciples, Sariputta and Mahamogallen. |
| Ashoka Pillar Erected by Ashoka, this stone pillar stands close to the southern gateway of the Great Stupa no 1. Marked by aesthetic beauty, the lavishly carved Ashoka pillar is known for its amazing structural balance. The famous edicts of Ashoka warning against in the Buddhist community are inscribed on the pillar. |
| The Buddhist Vihara This modern structure houses the holy relics of Satdhara Stupa. These relics have been enshrined in a glass casket on platform in its inner sanctum. |
| Archeological Museum Maintained by the Archealogical Survey of India, the museum displays the rare antiquities belonging to six cultural periods, Kushana, Satvahana, Maurya, Sunga, Gupta and post Gupta period. The museum treasures the life-sized image of Nagarjuna, Yakshi and Dhyani Buddha in red sandstone. The famous Ashokan Lion Capital remains the major attraction, which is kept in the main hall of the museum. |
| The Great Bowl It is a huge bowl carved out of a single piece of stone. This great bowl was used to distribute food to the Buddhist monks living at Sanchi. |
| The Gupta Temple Built around 5th century Ad, it is one of the earliest known examples of temple architecture in India. |
| The Eastern Gateway It depicts the Gautama Buddha as a young prince, renouncing worldly pleasure to seek enlightenment. The inner face of right pillar illustrates the dream of Lord Buddha’s mother Maya when she conceived him. |
| The western Gateway It depicts the seven incarnations of Gautama Buddha. |
| The Northern Gateway Topped by a wheel of law, it depicts the miracle associated with Lord Buddha. |
| The Southern Gateway A series of dramatically lavish carvings here represent the birth of Gautama Buddha. |
| Excursions - Rahatgarh (82 km), Sonari and Satdhara (10 km), Andher ( 17 km) and Mural khurd (12 km), Vidisha (10km), Udaygiri Caves (13km), Gyraspur(41km), Udaypur (90km) |
| How to Get There |
| By Air: The nearest airport is at Bhopal (46 km) which is connected with Delhi, Mumbai, Gwalior and Indore. |
| By Rail: Vidisha (10km) is the closest railhead. |
| By Road: Sanchi is very well connected with Bhopal, Indore, Sagar, Gwalior, Vidisha, and Raisen by regular bus services. |
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