Sanchi

One of the sites selected by Emperor Ashoka to commemorate and propagate Buddhism was Sanchi; which has since then become a bastion of Buddhism. It was in Sanchi that Ashoka built a matchless group of monuments called stupas representing the earliest influence of Buddhism on Indian art and architecture. Even today, on can trace here an uninterrupted 1300 years of Buddhist history, its art and architectecture, its efflorescence and evanescence. The carvings at Sanchi speak eloquently of the Buddha's life and as many as 500 jatakas or legends relate to his previous births.

The decline of Buddhism in India brought about the eclipse of Sanchi's splendour but was later rediscovered by Sir John Marshall.

ACCESS

Nearest airport is Bhopal (46 km via Diwanganj and 72 km via Raisin). Sanchi is a railway station on the Jhansi-Itarsi section of Central Railway. It is well connected by road with Bhopal, Indore, Sagar, Gwalior and Vidisha.

WHAT TO SEE AT SANCHI

The Great Stupa (Stupa No.1): One of the three surviving stupas (eight were built by Ashoka), it is 36.5 m in diameter and 16.4 m in height; Toranas or Gateways - the relief on the Toranas depict Jataka tales of the Buddha's previous incarnations and main events in his life; Stupa No.2 - surrounded by a well preserved balustrade; Stupa No.3 - has a hemispherieal dome surrounded by an umbrella; Ashoka Pillar - its lustrous polish dating back to the 3rd century is an outstanding feature; Buddhist Vihara - has re-enshrined relics of two disciples of the Buddha; monasteries.