SANCHI

ABOUT SANCHI:

• Spectacular Sanchi is recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its archaeological and historical value.
• Sanchi hill teems with stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars and is the largest site of Buddhist remains in India.
• However, it is not directly connected with the life of Lord Buddha as other Buddhist pilgrim centres.
• History of Sanchi dates back to Emperor Asoka’s reign in the 3^rd century BC and continues up to the 11^th century AD.
• One of the most revered centres of Buddhist art in the world.
• Architecture forms and sculpture display the Jataka tales in cinematographic continuity.

MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

• Airport: Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal (BHO), 46 kms away from Sanchi.
• Rail: Sanchi Railway Station, Sanchi, 10 kms away from Sanchi city centre.
• Road: Well connected by road.

ATTRACTIONS OF SANCHI

• The Great Stupa (No. 1):
  • World renowned stupa was originally built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka and is an icon of India’s cultural heritage.
  • Present stupa is a superstructure over the original brick stupa and comprises a hemispherical dome.
  • It measure 36.5 metres in diameter and 1604 metres in height.

• • Toranas or Gateways:
    • Reliefs on the Toranas depict the Jataka tales of Buddha’s incarnation and the main event associated with his life.

• Stupa (No. 2):
  • 2^nd century BC. Stupa lies on the edge of the Sanchi Hill.

• Stupa (No. 3):
  • Stupa was built during 150-140 BC.
  • Relics of Sariputta and Mahamogallam, two of Buddhas chief disciples were found in this stupa.
  • These relics are at present housed in the Sri Lankan Vihara here.

• Asoka Pillar:
  • Fragments of the Asokan Pillar dating back to the 3^rd century BC lie near Stupa 1.
  • Chunar sandstone pillar is known for its polished surface and carries Emperor Asoka’s edicts to his people.

• Site Museum:
  • Must visit site exhibits the antiquities recovered from excavations of Sanchi hill and few sculptures from Gyaraspur.

ATTRACTIONS AROUND SANCHI

• Besnagar (Vidisha):
  • Remains of ancient city of Vidisha are located 3 kms from the modern township and 13 kms away from Sanchi.
  • Inscription on Heliodorous Piller (2^nd century BC) refers to the conversation of a Greek ambassador to Vaishnavism.
  • Vidisha Museum is worth visiting.

• Gyaraspur:
  • 50 kms away from Sanchi.
  • It is known for the monuments dating back to medieval Hindu period.
  • Notable among them are – Maladevi Temple, Vajra Matha, Atha Khamba and Hindola Torana etc.

• Udaigiri:
  • Famous rock cut caves built during the ‘Golden Age’ of the Guptas between 4^th – 5^th centuries A.D. are 4 kms from Vidisha and 18 kms from Sanchi.
  • Exquisite sculptures in the caves are noted for their unique vitality, vigour and richness of expression.