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Located on the foot of a hill-- Sanchi is just
46 kms Bhopal. It is more of a village than a town.
Sanchi
is a religious place with historical and Archaeological significance.
Sanchi is a site for the numerous stupas which were built on a hill top.
The place is related to Buddhism but not directly to the life of Buddha.
It is more related to Ashoka than to Buddha. Ashoka built the first stupa
and put up many pillars here. The crown of famous Ashoka pillars, with
four lions standing back to back, has been adopted as the national emblem
of India.
Sanchi adopted Buddhism which replaced the prominent Hinduism. But time
took its toll and slowly both the stupas and the place were forgotten. In
1818 Sanchi was rediscovered and it was found that the marvelous pieces of
structure were not in good shape. Gradually historical and the religious
significance of the place was recognise d. Restoration work of the stupas
started in 1881 and finally between 1912 and 1919 these were carefully
repaired and restored. It was accepted that the structure at Sanchi are
the most organised construction which went into the engineering of temples
in the medieval period. The carvings here are done with the precision of
Jewellers.
Despite the damage and restoration work done Sanchi is the most evocative
and attractive Buddhist site in India. Sanchi is primarily a place of
Stupas and pillars but the gorgeous gateways add grace to the place. These
gateways are beautifully carved and carry scenes from the life of Buddha
or Ashoka. These gateways are the finest specimens of early classical art,
which formed the seed bed of entire vocabulary of later Indian art. The
images carved on the pillars and the stupas tell moving story of the
incidents form the life of Buddha.
CLIMATE:As such the climate of Sanchi is moderate and it can be
visited any time of the year. But the summers can prove to be very hot and
winters may be biting cold. Nevertheless, it is better to visit the place
during he winters. The best season to visit this Buddhist pilgrimage is
between October and March.
GETTING THERE: Sanchi is not so hot place on the tourist map and
mainly attracts the Buddhist pilgrims. The nearest Airport is that of
Bhopal. From Bhopal one can take flights to any place in India. From
Bhopal one can hire a taxi or take bus to Sanchi. There is a railway
station in Sanchi which is on the Jhansi-Itarsi section. But the most
convenient railhead is that of Vidisha. Sanchi has motorable roads which
connects the place from any where in the state and as well as the tourists
places in the neighbouring states.
SIGHTSEEING:
SANCHI STUPAS:
Sanchi has been famous for the Stupas which were built on the top of a
hill. The 
purpose
of these stupas was mostly religious. The most likely use of the stupas
has been said to keep the relics. Some of these stupas have been found
containing relics of disciples of Buddha. The stupas date as early as the
3rd century and are built in brick made of stone. Though most of the
stupas are in ruins now three remain intact and are of great
archaeological value. The designs and the carvings on the walls and gates
of these stupas spell a heavenly grace and are very tastefully done.
The Four Gate
Ways - The Four gateways constructed in 35 BC are the best from
of Buddhist expression one can find any where in the world. Gateways or
Torans as they are called are covered with explicit carving which depict
scenes from the life Buddha and Jatakas, the stories relating to Buddha
and his earlier births. At this stage Buddha was not represented directly
but symbols were used to portray him-- The lotus represents his birth, the
tree his enlightenment, the wheel, derived from the title of his first
sermon, the footprints and throw symbolising his presence. The carvings on
the Torans are done with inspired imagery which in harmony with the
surrounding figures balance the solidity of massive stupas.
The Ashoka Pillar - The Ashoka pillars is one many pillars which
are scattered in the area some of these are in broken and some in shape.
The Ashoka pillar is on the southern entrance. Today here only the shaft
stands and the crown is kept in the museum. The crown is the famous four
lions which stand back to back. This figure was adopted as the national
Emblem of India. The Ashoka pillars are an excellent example of he
Greco-Buddhist style and is known for the aesthetic proportions and the
exquisite structural balance.
The Buddhist Vihara - The earlier monasteries were made from wood
which was exquisitely carved and tastefully decorated. The present
monasteries are not even the shadow of what they were in the past. A few
kms from Sanchi are the relics of the Satdhara Stupa. The relics are kept
in glass casket which is placed on the inner sanctum of the modern
monastery.
The Great Bowl - Sanchi had a huge bowl carved out of single rock.
Grain was stored in this bowl and it was distributed among the monks in
Sanchi.
The
Gupta Temple - This temple is now in ruins. But what ever is left
tells a saga of greatness and a temple which had no match during its
times. The temple was built in 5 the century and is an excellent example
of ancient temple architecture in India.
The Museum - The archaeological survey of India maintains a museum
which house many items which were discovered during the excavation of
Sanchi area. Most prized possession of the museum is the lion crown from
Ashoka pillar. The museum has a sizeable collection of utensils and other
items used by the monks who lived here.
EXCURSIONS:
Videsha : Just 10 kms from
Sanchi is a place called Videsha. In ancient times this place was called
the Besnagar and was one of the largest town in the area.
Raisen : A Malwa fort built in the 13th century adorns this huge
and colourful hill. Apart from the fort there are temples, cannons, three
palaces, well and tanks. This place very ancient and lively. The Fort of
Raisen was under an independent ruler but later it passed under the ruler
of Mandu. One can spot ancient painting in the caves around this region.
It is 23 kms from Sanchi.
Gyaraspur : Gyaras is the name of the fair which is organised in
the 11th month every year. This place is just 51 kms from Sanchi and many
temples, tanks and a fort dating to 9th and 10th century. But the main
attraction has been the big fair.
Udayapur : 90 kms north of Sanchi is an fine example of Indo-Aryan
architecture. The structure is the Neelkantheswara temple. This temple was
built in the 11th century. The special thing about the architecture of
this temple is that rays of the morning sun shines on the presiding deity
of the temple. The temple is covered with profusely carved walls and
pillars. There are four are prominently decorated bands around the Sikhara
of this temple.
Sonari
: Just 10 kms from the stupas of Sanchi are eight more stupas of which two
are very important.
Satdhara : Towards the west of Sanchi are two more stupas which
are worth visiting. These stupas are on the banks of river Beas.
Andher : This place was discovered after Sanchi. The place has
three small stupas but these are well preserved . Andher is eight kms from
Sanchi.
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES:
Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. - 4th
floor, Gangotri, TT Nagar, Bhopal- 462 003, Madhya Pradesh (India). Tel. -
+(91)-0755-554340 / 553443; Fax: +(91) - 0755- 552384
Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. - Hotel
Tansen, 6 Gandhi Road, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh (India). Tel.-
+(91)-0751-340370 / 342606
Tourist Reception Centre - Hotel Palash, Near 45 Bungalows, T.T
Nagar, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, (India). Tel. - +(91)-0755-553006 / 553076
/ 553066 / 371223
Tourist Reception Centre - 204-205, 2nd Floor, Kanishka Plaza, 19
Ashoka Road, New Delhi - 110 001 India Tel. - +(91)-11-3321187 / 33245111
(ext. 277)
MAIN LANGUAGES: Hindi & English
A WORD OF CAUTION: To all tourist - beware of touts, if, new to
the place.
NEAR BY CITIE(S):
| Bhopal - 46 kms. | Gwalior - 399 kms. |
| Pachmarhi - 241 kms. | Indore - 232 kms. |
| Chanderi - 159 kms. | Bhimbetka - 92 kms. |