SANCHI STUPA
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
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