Sanchi (Population: 6,785, Altitude: 434 M.) is a small village in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh state. The village is located 46 km north east of Bhopal, and 10 km from Besnagar and Vidisha in the central part of the State. It is the location of several Buddhist monuments dating from the third century BCE to the twelfth century CE and is one of the 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 the early Mauryan period. Sanchi is famous in the world for stupas, monolithic Asokan pillar, temples, monasteries and sculptural wealth.

The 'Great Stupa' at Sanchi was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka the Great in the third century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chatra, a parasol-like structure symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter the relics. Toranas surround the Stupa and they each represent love, peace, trust, and courage.

How to reach: Sanchi rail station is in the rail route of Jhansi – Itarsi. It is 47 km to the North-East of (via Raisen 65km) Bhopal. The place is well connected by roads.

History: In 272 BC, Asoka became the Maurya Empire after the death of his father Bindusara, the son of Chandragupta Murya. After the 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 the year 257 BC and gradually he started preaching Buddhism all over the country. Ashoka built many Stupas all over India in the 6^th century BC, as in memoriam to Buddha. Sanchi lost its importance from the 14^th century. Who was responsible for the wanton destruction of the original brick stupa of Asoka and when precisely the great work of reconstruction was carried out is not known. Sir John Marshall noted that the Sanchi stupa was vandalized during the 2nd century before it was rebuilt later on a larger scale, suggesting the possibility that the original brick stupa built by Ashoka was destroyed by Pusyamitra, the first of the Sunga kings (184-148 BCE), and then restored by Agnimitra or his immediate successor. Similarly, the Deokothar Stupas (geographically located between Sanchi and Barhut) suffered destruction during the same period, also suggesting some kind of involvement of Sunga rule.

In 1818 British General Taylor discovered Sanchi and renovations of these stupas started by Major Coley.

What to see:

The Brihat (Big) Stupa or Stupa No.1 (Height: 16.4M; Dia.: 36.5M) is the principle attraction of Sanchi. Emperor Asoka started its construction and completed in 3^rd to 2nd century BC by Ashoka’s descendents. Although it differs among the historians who claimed, Ashoka laid the foundation with stone but erected by Kusan Kings. The umbrella on its summit along with 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 the 1st century by the kings of Satbahan dynasty and the decoration and the curvings of the entrance done by the kings of the Gupta dynasty (450 AD). The Stupa is the symbol of death without any image of Buddha inside, is the oldest specimen of stone sculpture in India.

The episode of Buddha’s life depicted in 6 symbols on the eastern gate - elephant: the symbol of being in mother’s womb; horse: the symbol of great departure from the house of his father; pipul tree: the symbol of enlightenment; wheel: the symbol of preaching religion; the symbol of public welfare. An umbrella on 2 foot prints: the symbol of mahanirban (the great salvation). The oldest entrance at south depicts the birth of Buddha, was made by the king of Andhra, Satapami. On the top of the northern gate (now ruined) is Dharma Chakra (the wheel of religion) was enriched with sculpture and curvings of ancient. On the 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 the west of the Great Stupa on the slopes of the hill. The influence of Greek architecture can be found in the columns & balconies of the 4^th century."color: #0000ff; font-weight: bold;">

Gupta Temple is situated on the right of the Great Stupa.

There is an archaeological museum with the collection of Gupta era to the 4^th century in Sanchi at the foot hill. Other Stupas are situated within a periphery of 10 KM of Sanchi:

8 Stupas: at Soanari, 10 KM. South-West.

2 Stupas: at Satadhara on the bank of Bipasha,

3 Stupas: at Andher 8 km to the South-East.

The city of Vidisha is situated 9 km away from Sanchi at the confluence of Betwa (Betrabati of poet Kalidasa) and Bes (Vidisha) rivers. Vidisha, a thriving city of 600 BC, was famous for trade and commerce. Vidisha was lost in the 6^th century but once again appeared in history between 9-12^th century during Muslim rule in the 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 the west of Vidisha museum, crossing Betwa River, the range of mountain stands guarding the city. There is a fort and 20 caves of 4-5^th century. Some people believe that, these were made during the rule of Chandragupta II (382-401 AD) at Udaigiri on the slopes of sandstone hill.

On the bank of Bes and Betwa River, there is Besnagar, the capital of Maurya and Sunga era (3^rd -1^st century BC). Though the temple of Basudev is totally ruined now, there is monolithic 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, the son of Dion, the Greek Ambassador of Takshila (Pakistan) in the court of king Bhagabhadra of Vidisha.

From Bhopal via Vidisha 90 km and from Bareth Rly. Stn. 7 km to the north of Vilsa at Udaypur, there is Nilkantheswar (1080 AD) or Shiva Temple. The Parmar King Udayaditya took 22 yrs to complete this sandstone made temple.

Gayaraspur, the ruins of the 9-10^th century capital of Pratihar Kings is situated 41 km to the N-East of Sanchi. There are two temples of Jain and Hindu religion behind the city.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 November 2010 00:30