Sanchi (Population: 6,785, Altitude: 434 M.) is a small village in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh state. The village is located 46 km nor east of Bhopal, and 10 km from Besnagar and Vidisha in e central part of e State. It is e location of several Buddhist monuments dating from e ird century BCE to e twelf century CE and is one of e important places of Buddhist pilgrimage. Sanchi, variously known as Kakanaya, Kakanava, Kakanadabota and Bota-Sriparvata in ancient times, has a singular distinction of having remarkable specimen of Buddhist art and architecture right from e early Mauryan period. Sanchi is famous in e world for stupas, monoliic Asokan pillar, temples, monasteries and sculptural weal. The 'Great Stupa' at Sanchi was originally commissioned by e emperor Ashoka e Great in e ird century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over e relics of e Buddha. It was crowned by e chatra, a parasol-like structure symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter e relics. Toranas surround e Stupa and ey each represent love, peace, trust, and courage. How to reach: Sanchi rail station is in e rail route of Jhansi Itarsi. It is 47 km to e Nor-East of (via Raisen 65km) Bhopal. The place is well connected by roads. History: In 272 BC, Asoka became e Maurya Empire after e dea of his faer Bindusara, e son of Chandragupta Murya. After e bloodshed in Kalinga War, Ashoka decided not to take part in any war in future and became a Buddhist after being initiated by Upagupta in Sanchi in e year 257 BC and gradually he started preaching Buddhism all over e country. Ashoka 1 / 5
built many Stupas all over India in e 6 century BC, as in memoriam to Buddha. Sanchi lost its importance from e 14 century. Who was responsible for e wanton destruction of e original brick stupa of Asoka and when precisely e great work of reconstruction was carried out is not known. Sir John Marshall noted at e Sanchi stupa was vandalized during e 2nd century before it was rebuilt later on a larger scale, suggesting e possibility at e original brick stupa built by Ashoka was destroyed by Pusyamitra, e first of e Sunga kings (184-148 BCE), and en restored by Agnimitra or his immediate successor. Similarly, e Deokoar Stupas (geographically located between Sanchi and Barhut) suffered destruction during e same period, also suggesting some kind of involvement of Sunga rule. In 1818 British General Taylor discovered Sanchi and renovations of ese stupas started by Major Coley. What to see: The Brihat (Big) Stupa or Stupa No.1 (Height: 16.4M; Dia.: 36.5M) is e principle attraction of Sanchi. Emperor Asoka started its construction and completed in 3 rd to 2nd century BC by Ashoka s descendents. Alough it differs among e historians who claimed, Ashoka laid e foundation wi stone but erected by Kusan Kings. The umbrella on its summit along wi railings around and balcony were set after 75 yrs by Sunga Kings. The 8.5m high 4 gateways of Stupa encircled by railings were founded in e 1st century by e kings of Satbahan dynasty and e decoration and e curvings of e entrance done by e kings of e Gupta dynasty (450 AD). The Stupa is e symbol of dea wiout any image of Buddha inside, is e oldest specimen of stone sculpture in India. 2 / 5
The episode of Buddha s life depicted in 6 symbols on e eastern gate - elephant: e symbol of being in moer s womb; horse: e symbol of great departure from e house of his faer; pipul tree: e symbol of enlightenment; wheel: e symbol of preaching religion; e symbol of public welfare. An umbrella on 2 foot prints: e symbol of mahanirban (e great salvation). The oldest entrance at sou depicts e bir of Buddha, was made by e king of Andhra, Satapami. On e top of e norern gate (now ruined) is Dharma Chakra (e wheel of religion) was enriched wi sculpture and curvings of ancient. On e western gate episodes of Jataka related to Budda s seven successive lives in mortal human form are inscribed. The Stupa No 2 of 7m high (2nd century BC) is located to e west of e Great Stupa on e slopes of e hill. The influence of Greek architecture can be found in e columns & balconies of e 4 century."color: #0000ff; font-weight: bold;"> Gupta Temple is situated on e right of e Great Stupa. There is an archaeological museum wi e collection of Gupta era to e 4 century in Sanchi at e foot hill. Oer Stupas are situated wiin a periphery of 10 KM of Sanchi: 8 Stupas: at Soanari, 10 KM. Sou-West. 2 Stupas: at Satadhara on e bank of Bipasha, 3 Stupas: at Andher 8 km to e Sou-East. 3 / 5
The city of Vidisha is situated 9 km away from Sanchi at e confluence of Betwa (Betrabati of poet Kalidasa) and Bes (Vidisha) rivers. Vidisha, a riving city of 600 BC, was famous for trade and commerce. Vidisha was lost in e 6 century but once again appeared in history between 9-12 century during Muslim rule in e name of Vilsa. Emperor Ashoka erected 65 stupas and stone made columns over 27 km around Vidisha. There is a Vishnu Temple built of 2 nd century BC is in front of Rly Stn. 10 km to e west of Vidisha museum, crossing Betwa River, e range of mountain stands guarding e city. There is a fort and 20 caves of 4-5 century. Some people believe at, ese were made during e rule of Chandragupta II (382-401 AD) at Udaigiri on e slopes of sandstone hill. On e bank of Bes and Betwa River, ere is Besnagar, e capital of Maurya and Sunga era (3 rd -1 st century BC). Though e temple of Basudev is totally ruined now, ere is monoliic Khamba Baba or Heliodorus Pillar, made of stone (140 BC). It looks like an Ashokan Pillar but it is a pillar of Gadud. It was built by Heliodorus, e son of Dion, e Greek Ambassador of Takshila (Pakistan) in e court of king Bhagabhadra of Vidisha. From Bhopal via Vidisha 90 km and from Bare Rly. Stn. 7 km to e nor of Vilsa at Udaypur, ere is Nilkaneswar (1080 AD) or Shiva Temple. The Parmar King Udayaditya took 22 yrs to complete is sandstone made temple. Gayaraspur, e ruins of e 9-10 century capital of Pratihar Kings is situated 41 km to e N-East of Sanchi. There are two temples of Jain and Hindu religion behind e city. 4 / 5
Accommodation facilities at Sanchi: 1 2 3 4 5 HotelsTariff Contacts INR The advance booking can be made directly or rough www.arraytours.com. Please call +91 9433001192, (Phone) +91 33 24427635. The above data are indicative as provided by e respective hotel or collected from various sources. The auor is not responsible for any difference wi e actuals. The interested persons may kindly ask e hotel for e current tariff. 5 / 5