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The Great Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi are a group of monuments that include the world renown - The Great Stupa (the oldest Buddhist religious monument), monolithic pillars, ruins of temples, monasteries, assembly halls and shrines helping one time travel when Sanchi was revered as a great centre for spiritual learning. Most monuments date back to the 2nd and 1st centuries BC when Sanchi was a major proponent of Buddhism in India until the 12th century AD.

The Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India are recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. How to reach Sanchi Stupa?

What is a Stupa? A stūpa is a structure containing sacred relics commemorative of Buddha or other saints. The shapes of Stupa’s have evolved over centuries - the Sanchi Stupa is hemispherical with a circular base supporting a massive solid dome (garbha) it has a pradakshina path and four gateways, which are richly decorated with narrative sculptures depicting scenes and panels from Buddha’s life, Ashoka’s life, wars over Buddha’s relics in ancient times and Jataka tales. The relics of the Buddha are not merely considered a commemorative symbol by of Buddha but Buddhists believe it represents the living presence of the Buddha, his protective powers and living energy.

Tag : Enlightening Sanchi | Content: gud2travel.com | Image: Bhajish Bharathan | Update: 17-Mar-2021
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West Torana, Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India

The torana on the west or the last gateway built is richly carved composed of two square pillars and with three architraves and their volute ends.

The column capitals have four Yaksha facing four directions. Whereas carvings on architraves have sculpted panels of King of the Mallas bringing the relics of the Buddha to Kushinagara whose chief is depicted riding on an elephant and bearing the relics on his own head. Another panel has two groups of figures carrying offerings indicate rejoicing of the Mallas over the possession of the relics.

Another panel has the tree in front of the city gate and it believed to be the Shala tree symbolically referring to the fact that Buddha's parinirvana took place in a grove of shala trees.

The West Torana has a brilliant sculpted narrative of the portrayal of siege of Kushinagara and the seven rival claimants who are carrying seven royal umbrellas, advancing with their armies to the city of Kushinagara

Left pillar (front side) has a unique panel showing Indra's swarg as it has the river Mandakini in the foreground.

The Great Stupa in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. How to reach Sanchi Stupa?

Tag : Enlightening Sanchi | Content: gud2travel.com | Image: IM3847 | Update: 17-Mar-2021
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North Torana, Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India

The North Torana is one of the four richly carved gateways or toranas surrounding the Great Stupa. It has been best preserved of all the gateways as it still retains most of its ornamental figures. The lintels on the North Torana have seated Lions and Yakshinis.

Torana has many scenes from various events of the life of the Buddha. One panel has vivid sculptures depicting Buddha overcoming the temptation of Mara's daughters and threat of Mara + the demons of Mara fleeing Sanchi Stupa; Another has a sculpted scene of Sujata, bringing the meal which she prepared for Gautama before he began his last meditation prior to his enlightenment;

The pillar capitals of North Torana have elephant looking in all four directions and its panels depict various miracles performed by Buddha - including the great miracle at Sravasti where Buddha walks in the air.

The Great Stupa in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. How to reach Sanchi Stupa?

Tag : Enlightening Sanchi | Content: gud2travel.com | Image: Photo Dharma | Update: 17-Mar-2021
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South Torana, Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India

The South Torana is believed to be the oldest and the first to be built and served as the main entrance to the Great Stupa. Then followed, in chronological order, the North Torana, the East Torana and the West Torana.

The narrative friezes of the South Torana has great emphasis on Buddha's relics and the War over the Relics, and on the role of Ashoka in spreading the Buddhist faith. One also finds carved scenes of seven births of Buddha and the pillar capitals of the South Torana have sculpted Lions similar to the ones found on Ashoka Pillar.

The Great Stupa in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. How to reach Sanchi Stupa?

Tag : Enlightening Sanchi | Content: gud2travel.com | Image: IM3847 | Update: 17-Mar-2021
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East Torana, Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India

The East Torana was the third gateway to be erected. It has sculptures narrating historical events during Buddha's life and several miracles performed by the Buddha. The pillars of the East Torana have elephants placed in all four directions mounted by mahuts.

Take note of the panel on far left - sculpted narrative depicting Prince Siddharta detachment of royal life - his search and his renouncing the world starting from leaving the Palace of Kapilavastu while his wife Yasodhara, his baby Rahula and the dancers are sleeping.

Top panel on East Torana is about the miracle of walking in the air at Savrasti and devotees are looking upwards - note Buddha is not visible and only his path is represented by slab in thin air called Chankrama;

Another panel has a scene depicting the miracle of the Buddha walking on River Nairanjana - once again Buddha is not visible and he is represented by a path on the water, and his empty throne.

A panel also has sculptures depicting Indra and Brahma at the Great Sanchi Stupa;

The Great Stupa in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. How to reach Sanchi Stupa?

Tag : Enlightening Sanchi | Content: gud2travel.com | Image: Jean-Pierre Dalbera | Update: 17-Mar-2021
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Narrative Panel of Buddha’s life, Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India

An expressive sculpted narrative depicting Buddha’s detachment of royal life - his search and his renouncing the world starting from leaving the Palace of Kapilavastu.

This sculpted panel is on the North Torana or Gateway of The Great Stupa in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India - which is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. How to reach Sanchi Stupa?

Tag : Enlightening Sanchi | Content: gud2travel.com | Image: Photo Dharma | Update: 17-Mar-2021
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How to reach Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh, India?

The Great Stupa of Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

How do you reach Sanchi Stupa by air? Which is the nearest airport to Sanchi Stupa?
The nearest airport is Bhopal Airport and it is at a distance of 53 km from Sanchi Stupa.

How do you reach Sanchi Stupa by train? Which is the nearest railway station to Sanchi Stupa?
The nearest railway station is Sanchi Railway Station and it is at a distance of 1.5 km from Sanchi Stupa. You could opt to to reach via Vidisha Railway Station that is at a distance of 11.5 km from Sanchi Stupa. Or prefer to reach via Bhopal Junction and it is at a distance of 47 km from Sanchi Stupa.

Best Time to Visit Sanchi Stupa Complex is in the cooler months of December to February.

Tag : Enlightening Sanchi | Content: gud2travel.com | Image: achi28 | Update: 17-Mar-2021