![]() ![]() The site is one of the most provoking in India, and a good base for a number of interesting bicycle excursions. The Sanchi stupas are noteworthy for their gateways as they contain ornamented depiction of incidents from the life of Buddha and his previous incarnations, "Bodhisattvas", as described in the Jataka tales. Below the hill, the Archaeological Survey of India Museum houses some of the earliest known stone sculptures in Indian art from the 3rd to the 1st century BC. History During the Sunga times, several edifices were raised at Sanchi and its surrounding hills. The most famous of these monuments, the Sanchi Stupa 1 was originally built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, the then governor of Ujjayini. The Ashokan stupa was enlarged and faced with stones and decorated with balustrades, staircases and a harmika on the top. The reconstruction of Temple 40 and erection of Stupas 2 and 3 also seem to date back around the same time. During the 1st century BC, the Andhra-Satavahanas, elaborately carved the gateways to Stupa 1. From the 2nd to the 4th Century AD, Sanchi and Vidisha came under the Guptas. ![]() After the 14th century, however, Sanchi remained deserted till 1818. But afterwards General Taylor, a British officer, discovered it. Later in 1912, Sir John Marshall, the Director General of Archaeology, ordered the restoration work at the site and established an archaeological museum in 1919. This was later transformed into the present site museum at Sanchi. Site & Architecture One of the important things of attention is that the Buddha is not represented at all through figures at Sanchi. But instead through various symbols of his teachings he is described, as it was the tradition in the early period of Buddhism. The flower of lotus represents the birth of Buddha, the big tree signifies his enlightenment, the Wheel represents his first sermon and the Stupa finally represents his nirvana or salvation. The footprints and the throne are used to denote the Buddha's presence. Some of the important monuments in Sanchi are: The Great Stupa No.1 ![]() The Southern Gateway: It is crowned by a wheel of law, illustrates the miracle associated with the Buddha as told in the Jataka tales. It hence, reveals the birth of Gautam in a series of dramatically rich carvings. The Eastern Gateway: It depicts the young prince, Gautam, leaving his father's place, renouncing worldly life to seek enlightenment. The inner face of the right pillar portrays the dream of Maya, the mother of Buddha, when she conceived him. The Western Gateway: It depicts the seven incarnations of the Buddha, four represented by trees and three by stupas; the Buddha preaching his first sermon at the Deer Park, Sarnath and the Chhaddanta Jataka tale. Stupa No. 2 ![]() Stupa No.3 This structure belongs to the period between 150-140 BC and is situated northeast of the Great Stupa, where the relics of Sariputra and Mahamogalana, the two famous disciples of the Buddha were found in its inner most chambers. The hemispherical dome is crowned, as a mark of its special religious significance, with an umbrella of polished stone. It has only one gateway. Ashoka Pillar Erected during the 3rd Century BC, with its four lion head stump, it is situated close to the Southern Gateway of the Great Stupa. A unique feature of this pillar is its brilliant polish. The Gupta Temple ![]() The Great Bowl It is carved out of one block of stone, contained food that was distributed amongst the monks of Sanchi. The Archaeological Survey of India Museum It is situated at the entrance to the monument and it exhibits findings and remains of the excavated site. Among these are caskets, pottery, and parts of gateways, lion capital of the Ashokan Pillar and images. Temple 18 It is a chaitya hall, situated just in front of the Southern Gateway of the Great Stupa. It is comparatively recently built around 7th Century A.D and its style of architecture closely resembles with the rock-cut chaitya halls at Karla Caves in Maharashtra. The Monastery and Temple 45 It was built during the period of the 7th and 11th centuries and more developed styles of architecture are marked from it. The doorways of this construction are ornamented, with the image of Buddha in an oval Halo. (Last Updated on : 08-01-2009) |
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