Located just 46 kms. from Bhopal,
Sanchi is a small town of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
Significant for its history and archeology, Sanchi is a religious place
known for its Stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd
century BC to the 12th century AD.
History Unfolds
The the Sanchi Stupa 1, the most famed of all the monuments here, was
originally built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. Though Sanchi is not
directly to the life of Lord Buddha, it is associated to Buddhism. The place
is more related to King Ashoka than to Lord Buddha. Ashoka built the first
Stupa and put up many pillars here. The famous Ashokan iron pillar, with
four lions standing back to back, has been endorsed as the national emblem
of India.
Sanchi embraced Buddhism, which replaced the pre dominant Hinduism. But, in
due course of time, slowly both the Stupas and the place were abandoned. It
was during 1818, when Sanchi was refound and gradually historical and the
religious importance of the place was recognized. Restoration work of the
Stupas started in 1881 and finally between 1912 and 1919 these were
attentively reformed and restored. It was accepted that the structure at
Sanchi were the most organised construction which went into the engineering
of temples in the medieval era. The carvings of the place are done with the
correctness of Jewellers.
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The Stupa
Even after the reformation and restoration, Sanchi continues to evoke and
attract people from all over. Sanchi is primarily a place of Stupas and
pillars but the magnificent entrance ways add beauty to the place. The
finest specimens of early classical art, the gateways are delicately carved
and bears images from the life of Lord Buddha or King Ashoka. The images
carved on the pillars and the Stupas tell motivating stories from the life
of Buddha.
Connectivity
» By Air : Nearest airport is at Bhopal (46 Km via Diwanganj
and 78 Km via Raisen) which is connected with Delhi, Mumbai, Gwalior and
Indore.
» By Road : Sanchi lies on the Jhansi-Itarsi section of the
Central Railways. However, the most convenient railhead is Vidisha (10 km).
» By Road : Good, motorable road connect Sanchi with Bhopal,
Indore, Sagar, Gwalior, Vidisha and Raisen, besides other places.