The stupa of Bharhut is situated between Jabalpur and Allahabad in the erstwhile Nagod state of Madhya Pradesh. It was built around 150 B.C. and in 1873 the place was discovered by Sir Alexander Cunningham. The remains no longer exist in the site now and some of the remains of the stupa are preserved in the Indian Museum in Kolkata

The railing of the stupa is carefully decorated and carved with ancient designs. These railings, posts, gateways and capping stones are all fashioned in beautiful red sandstone and once surrounded a stupa. The remarkable precision of the livelihood and carvings, decorative themes and narrative scenes testify the rich Indian art culture and tradition. Many carvings of the Bhurhut are yakshis which protrude in the past relief; they stand in the attitude of devotion upon ganas or the clutch of the tree. Here too are riders, royal devotees and elephant and even example of the figure in foreign dress.

In Bharhut Stupa other carved panel epitomizes the Buddhist narratives. The dream of Maya, the heavenly celebration of Buddha enlightenment, the worship of Buddha`s throne, the Bodhi tree, naha king worshipping the wheel and the stupa in worship are some of the symbols of Buddhist religious celebration. The railing medallions display a variety of lotus design, sometimes incorporating in yaksha busts. Some of the other themes include scenes of everyday village life, Lakshmi bathed by elephant, deer, peacock and elephants.

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