Sanchi is a village in Madhya Pradesh in India, about 9 km southwest of Vidisha and 46 km from Bhopal. It is the site of a great Buddhist Stupa. 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. The glory of Sanchi, as a devout centre, can still be experienced in its composite formations where the rich carvings reflects various legendary beliefs and Buddhist myths. The the Sanchi Stupa 1, the most famed of all the monuments here, was originally built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The emperor Asoka married a woman from Vidisha. He built for her the Caityagiri Vihara at Sanchi. Their son the arahant Mahinda set out from this place to convert Sri Lanka. Their daughter Sanghamitta set off from here with a sapling of the sacred Bo-tree from Bodhgaya, which was planted in Anuradhapura: the Sri Mahabodhi which is the oldest recorded tree in the world. Though Sanchi’s history hangs around the Buddhist monuments, it is amazing to believe that Lord Buddha never visited Sanchi during his lifetime. Nevertheless, in the soothing stillness of Sanchi one could perceive his presence more effectively than any of the other famous Buddhist centers. 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. The Sanchi stupas date from the third century BC and are some of the best preserved historical monuments in India. There is no direct connection between Sanchi and the Buddha. The seventh century Chinese traveler Huen Tsang, who journeyed across India and wrote in detail about Buddhist monuments in India does not even mention Sanchi in his travelogues.
Formerly known as Vidishagiri, Sanchi was a busy trading center and a hub of affluent merchants. Sanchi owed much to these mighty Merchants for their wholehearted patronage, which helps it to thrive as a leading center of Buddhist tradition. 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 re found and gradually historical and the religious importance of the place was recognized. Stupas and gateways of this world heritage site are the superb expressions of classiness in architecture. In fact these marvels of ancient Buddhist ethnicity herald a new arena in the field of temple architecture in India. 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. Apart from the religious and historical aspect, Sanchi tenders a delightful view of the adjoining landscapes. If religion is not your passion, you could move onto other options since Sanchi is a fine place to just chill out and rest, or travel around.
The site gained the momentum of being UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1989.
Must See :
Sanchi 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. Appealingly placed on the top of a hill, these stupas carries with them a rich legacy of architectural grandeur. Most striking among all the Stupas is the stupa number one, which has a diameter of 36.5 and a height of 16.4 meter. he 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. A colossal hemispherical dome on the top adds a heavenly charm to this centuries old monument. Highly embellished walls and gateways stand in everlasting majesty, and the paved procession path around it worn smooth by centuries of pilgrims.
Get IN :
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. Bhopal is very well connected to the rest of India.
By Rail : Sanchi lies on the Jhansi-Itarsi section of the Central Railways. However, the most convenient railhead is Vidisha (10 km). Also, the Sanchi railway station is very close to the village. You can also reach by vidisha, a less known station, but very near to sanchi.
By Road : Good, motor able road connect Sanchi with Bhopal, Indore, Sagar, Gwalior, Vidisha and Raisen, besides other places. Your own vehicle is not a must, as any buses going to Ashta from Bhopal can drop you within half a kilometre of the village. And everything, including the site and the lodging facilities, is within 1 square kilometre.
