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This
centre of Buddhism exudes the gentle peacefulness of the religion.
As a center of Buddhism in the ancient times, it is home to a
variety of stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the
3rd century BC to the 12th century AD. Most of these predate the
Hindu efflorescence and served as its inspiration. However, apart
from its religious and cultural aspects, it is renowned for being
the city of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. The original peacenik, he
started on his momentous journey from here after the heart break of
the Kalinga war. Relive the life of a peace-loving emperor. Imagine
how he would have renounced his kingly ambitions to make peace and
love his motive. See how he made this as his state police and the
imperial instruments he used to further the peace within and
without.
There is a lesson in this for all of us.
Reaching there:
By Air: Nearest airport is Bhopal- 46 kms.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Bhopal 46kms. Despite being a
tourist centre, neither mail nor exp trains stop at Sanchi.
However, generally the trains except Shatabdi Exp come to a halt at
the request of first-class passengers. Still, it is convenient to
visit Sanchi from Bhopal.
By Road: There are both buses and trains to Sanchi from
Bhopal.
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Places to visit |
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Giant Stupa
The chief
attraction of Sanchi is 16.4 m high with a 37 m diameter.
Begun by Ashok, the Maurya emperor and completed between
3-2nd century the stupa is the oldest stone architecture in
India. As a symbol of death, there are no images of Buddha
in it. There are only the lotus, peepul tree and chakra
symbols for the birth of the Buddha, his enlightenment and
teachings. You can see his footprints to signify his
nirvana.
The Giant Stupa is bedecked with 4 arches or entrances. The
Western gate built in 35 BC, is adorned Jataka tales with
sculptures-depicting the seven incarnations of the Buddha.
Buddha appears symbolically, sometimes as a tree, pillar or
a horse. A sandstone sculpture shows the defeat of the
wicked after the temptation of the Buddha by the Mar demon.
The middle row depicts the Buddha preaching his message and
the lower series the story of Bodhisattva. The South gate is
carved with Maya, his mother. Sculptures also narrate the
stories from the Chaddanta Jataka tales. Nearby the south
gate is the 12-8 m high mined pillar which in the past was
adorned with a lion at the top. It inspired the one that
India eventually adopted as its national symbol. Prince
Goutam, the young Buddha, leaving home and attaining
nirvana, and the dream of Mayadevi when she saw an elephant
in moon are on the East gate. At the North gate the images
show the Buddha preaching in the shade of a mango tree. His
legs emit a halo and from his head flows a stream of water.
Atop this entrance is a ruined dharma "charka. There are
innumerable pillars here, but mostly in ruins. |
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New Vihar
Stupa
The relics of
Sariputta and Mahameggallana, the two disciples of the
Buddha, are said to have been kept in a stone vault buried
under the stupa. The chaitya or prayer hall magnificent and
resembles the old churches of Athens. |
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Stupa No 2
Located on the
west of the Brihat stupa, it is simple, unadorned with four
L-shaped entrances. The walls depict images of animals,
human beings and tales. The vihar or monastery built by the
wife of Ashok falls on the way. |
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New Vihar
It is
the latest attraction built by the Buddhist community of Sri
Lanka.The mortal remains of the disciple of the Buddha are
placed here and at the foot of the mountain is an
archaeological Museum. |
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Gupta Temple
Situated on the
right of Brihat stupa the temple built during the reign of
the Gupta kings (4th century) combines a garbha griha with a
pavilion or mandap. |
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Do’s and Don’t’s
- Beware of pickpockets,
touts
- Always travel in taxis and autos by the meter. Never accept lifts.
- Don’t get friendly with locals.
- The majority of Indians remove their footwear when entering their
houses. Because of strict religious and social customs, visitors
must show particular respect when visiting someone’s home.
- Many Hindus are vegetarian.
- Many especially women, do not drink alcohol.
- Sikhs and Parsis do not smoke.
- Small gifts are acceptable as tokens of gratitude for hospitality.
- Women are expected to dress modestly. |
