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?
