Buddhist monuments in India are reminiscent of Buddha and his philosophy. They are repositories of architectural marvels and underlying stories which enlighten people.
Sanchi Stupa is one of the most important and beautiful creation of architectural marvels which dates back to Ashokan period to Satvahanas.
I had this long dream of visiting Sanchi after coming across the pictures and architectural details of the monument in my course book written by Edith Tomory.
The interest was further aggravated by the short glimpses of the monument from the train's window while travelling to Southern India. As a student I found this great peace of architecture very attractive and soul-enlightening.
I had to wait for this opportunity for more than one and half decades.
Sanchi Stupa is located on a hilltop at Sanchi Town in Raisen district of Madhay Pradesh, an Indian state in Central part of the country.
I took this journey as an extension to my trip to Bhi beta ka, where rock painting of early human have been found.
This great stupa is located in 46 kms north-east of Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh.
It was a rainy season and I must say to those who are explorer and travel enthusiast that rainy days are the best time to travel to Central Part of India, provided the area is not affected by flood.
I had apprehension and of course I gave second thought while making a plan to visit Madhya Pradesh, seeing news of flood related news in Ujjain and Indore. But finally we decided as the cities were not affected by flood.
It was great time to visit in August. The entire way was enveloped by greenery. After visiting Bhimbetka, I asked the cab driver to fasten up the journey to Sanchi. And I reached Sanchi at around 2 in the afternoon.
The glimpses of the great stupa was visible from a kilometre away. The quest to visit this monument was about to be fulfilled. But the desire to satiate the soul was still unfulfilled. Hiring a local guide is not a bad idea even if you have googled information about the choice of your place.
I asked for a local guide to assist me understanding the place. I know many of the guides are not well versed with historicity and factual details of historical places. But they give you some information which will be flavoured by the local folk-tales and jargons.
I heard one of the local staff referring to the monument as Sanchi Masjid. The guy was having conversation with his mate and referring the monument as Masjid. May be due to presence of some Mughal monument around the cities. The guide informed us that it was commissioned by the great emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty.
Anyways going further The great stupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest stupa in India. It was commissioned by the Great emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty. When Buddha died his relics were kept in the nuclues of this stupa. The stupa is crowned by a chhatri. The dome of the stupa was built by bricks. A wooden railing was also erected.
When Sungas came they added one more vedika I.e. pradakshina path. Further when Satvahanas came they added four Toranas or gates in four cardinal directions of the stupas.
The toranas are engraved with stories of Buddha life. The stories are referred to as Jatakas.
Stupa No.1 at Sanchi is the most preserved stupas available here. The toranas are finely carved. The dome structure of the stupa is called anda and the structure surrounding the chhatri at top is called Harmika.There are other two stupas at Sanchi , Stupa No 2 and Stupa No. 3.
Other than this there is huge stone bowl which is believed to be the pot in which Buddhist monks used to collect alms.
The stupas at Sanchi are well preserved.
Other than stupas there is a centre for Buddhist studies established by Srilankan Government. There is small canteen as well. We purchased some eatables and relaxed under the lush green trees.
The guide told me to visit the point from where Vidisha was clearly visible. The place was located inside the premises only. A panoramic view of an extended green field was visible. Some habitations have come up. May be they are new or who knows they are there from time immemorial.
It was five in the evening. We heard thundering of cloud and the sky suddenly covered up with black clouds. It started raining and we found relief under a huge tree. We saw the stupas of Sanchi standing in the rain amidst greeen trees and grasses. The entire area looks serene. Somebody told us stupas here have witnesses numerous empires coming and going. They have preserved numerous stories inside them.
We left the place with the promise that we will come again with ample of time. My thirst for this placevwas still incomplete. We were running short of time. We said bye bye to the place. I went into some imagination how people from various sects and religion contributed to build these stupas. They are not handiwork of a single man. They are truly a place of diverse ideas and numerous beliefs.
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| Sanchi stupa |
Sanchi Stupa is one of the most important and beautiful creation of architectural marvels which dates back to Ashokan period to Satvahanas.
I had this long dream of visiting Sanchi after coming across the pictures and architectural details of the monument in my course book written by Edith Tomory.
The interest was further aggravated by the short glimpses of the monument from the train's window while travelling to Southern India. As a student I found this great peace of architecture very attractive and soul-enlightening.
 |
| Stupa No. 2 |
I had to wait for this opportunity for more than one and half decades.
Sanchi Stupa is located on a hilltop at Sanchi Town in Raisen district of Madhay Pradesh, an Indian state in Central part of the country.
I took this journey as an extension to my trip to Bhi beta ka, where rock painting of early human have been found.
This great stupa is located in 46 kms north-east of Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh.
It was a rainy season and I must say to those who are explorer and travel enthusiast that rainy days are the best time to travel to Central Part of India, provided the area is not affected by flood.
 |
| Torana or gate. The toranas are full of jataka tales. |
I had apprehension and of course I gave second thought while making a plan to visit Madhya Pradesh, seeing news of flood related news in Ujjain and Indore. But finally we decided as the cities were not affected by flood.
It was great time to visit in August. The entire way was enveloped by greenery. After visiting Bhimbetka, I asked the cab driver to fasten up the journey to Sanchi. And I reached Sanchi at around 2 in the afternoon.
 |
| Stone structure to keep bhiksha |
I asked for a local guide to assist me understanding the place. I know many of the guides are not well versed with historicity and factual details of historical places. But they give you some information which will be flavoured by the local folk-tales and jargons.
 |
| Pradakshina path |
Anyways going further The great stupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest stupa in India. It was commissioned by the Great emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty. When Buddha died his relics were kept in the nuclues of this stupa. The stupa is crowned by a chhatri. The dome of the stupa was built by bricks. A wooden railing was also erected.
 |
| Buddhist study centre |
When Sungas came they added one more vedika I.e. pradakshina path. Further when Satvahanas came they added four Toranas or gates in four cardinal directions of the stupas.
The toranas are engraved with stories of Buddha life. The stories are referred to as Jatakas.
Stupa No.1 at Sanchi is the most preserved stupas available here. The toranas are finely carved. The dome structure of the stupa is called anda and the structure surrounding the chhatri at top is called Harmika.There are other two stupas at Sanchi , Stupa No 2 and Stupa No. 3.
 |
| Structures for Buddha's deciples |
The stupas at Sanchi are well preserved.
Other than stupas there is a centre for Buddhist studies established by Srilankan Government. There is small canteen as well. We purchased some eatables and relaxed under the lush green trees.
 |
| View of Vidisha from Sanchi stupa |
It was five in the evening. We heard thundering of cloud and the sky suddenly covered up with black clouds. It started raining and we found relief under a huge tree. We saw the stupas of Sanchi standing in the rain amidst greeen trees and grasses. The entire area looks serene. Somebody told us stupas here have witnesses numerous empires coming and going. They have preserved numerous stories inside them.
 |
| Remains of old structures |
Sanchi Stupa
Nearest Railway station- Bhopal
Distance from Bhopal-45 kms
Best time to visit- I prefer during rainy season, otherwise it is best to go after October till February.
Nearest Railway station- Bhopal
Distance from Bhopal-45 kms
Best time to visit- I prefer during rainy season, otherwise it is best to go after October till February.
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