Also known as the Murelkhurd Stupas or Morel Khurd Stupas, the Bhojpur Stupas were named such by the
Archaeological Survey of India to avoid confusion with the archaeological site of the historical town Bhojpur in
Madhya Pradesh, which is about 45 km to the southwest. Located about 11 km from the Bhojpur Stupas to the southeast of
Sanchi are a group of about 30 stupas.
Overview of Bhojpur Stupas
Probably dating back to the 1st century BCE, the Bhojpur Stupas were built on 4 terraces, rising one above the other with 6 memorial stupas occupying the uppermost platform, 16 the second platform and 7 the small platform. There are reliquaries or holy relics found inside 4 of the stupas at Bhojpur but due to the absence of inscriptions, it is difficult to identify the monks. During an excavation 1851, found in Stupa No. 2 is one of the reliquaries made of rock crystals and comes in the form of a
Buddhist stupa. Rock crystals are known to be of extreme purity and thus were used to make containers for sacred relics.
The centres of the Bhojpur Stupas are hollow to accommodate small relics and the stupas are known to wear an umbrella which is a symbol of high rank.
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