The
ruins of Sanchi
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Sanchi
Sanchi
is a serene hill crowned by a group of stupas, monasteries, temples
and pillars dating from 3rd century BC to 12th century AD. The glory
that was Sanchi, an ancient place of pilgrimage, can still be experienced
in its complex structures where many Buddhist legends found expression
in the rich sculpture. The Buddha is not represented through figures
at Sanchi, but through symbols, as was the tradition in the early
period of Buddhism. The lotus represents the Buddha's birth, the
tree signifies his enlightenment, the wheel represents his nirvana
or salvation .
The
footprints and the throne denote the Buddha's presence. Sanchi
was virtually forgotten after the 13th Century until 1818, when
General Taylor, a British Officer rediscovered it, half buried
and well preserved. Later in 1912, Sir John Marshal, Director
General of Archeology ordered the restoration work at the site.
Some of the important monuments in Sanchi are: - The Great Stupa
No.1- 36.5mts in diameter and 16.4 mts high it is one of the oldest
stone structures in India. With a massive hemispherical dome,
the stupa stands majestically. The paved procession path around
it has become smooth by centuries of pilgrim's visit. Built originally
as an earthen stupa by the Emperor Ashoka, it was rebuilt in the
3rd and 2nd centuries BC. The last of the additions to this remarkable
stupa are the elaborate and richly carved four gateways or Toranas.
The first of the four gateways to be erected was the one at the
Southern Entrance, followed, in chronological order by the Northern,
the Eastern and the Western Gateways. The Southern Gateway: Reveals
the birth of Gautum in a series of dramatically rich carvings.
The southern Gateway: crowned by a wheel of law, illustrates the
miracle associated with the Buddha as told in the Jataka tales.
The Eastern Gateway, 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
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, dating back to the 2nd Century BC, stands at the very edge
of the hill and its most striking feature is the stone balustrade
that surrounds it. Stupa No.3 situated northeast of the Great
Stupa is 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. This structure belongs to the period between 150-140
BC. Ashoka Pillar, with its four lion head stump, erected during
the 3rd Century BC, is situated close to the Southern Gateway
of the Great Stupa. Though, similar to the intricately carved
pillar in Sarnath, the lions did not support a "Wheel of Law"
(Dharmachakra). A unique feature of this pillar is its brilliant
polish. The Gupta Temple (4th Century AD), in ruins now, is one
of the earliest known examples of temple architecture in India.
It consists of a simple flat roofed chamber with a pillared porch
in front. Temple 18, a Chaitya Hall, situated in front of the
Southern Gateway of the Great Stupa is comparatively recent (around
7th Century A.D.) resembles the rock-cut Chaitya halls at Karla
Caves in Maharashtra. The Monastery and Temple 45, built between
the 7th and 11th Centuries, show more developed styles of architecture.
On the ornamental doorway here, one can see the image of Buddha
with an oval Halo. The Great Bowl, carved out of one block of
stone, contained food that was distributed amongst the monks of
Sanchi. The Archaeological Survey of India Museum, situated at
the entrance to the monument, 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.
Tourist
Information
Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset. Entry fee for those
above 12 years: Rs. 5.00. Free entry on Fridays.
Best
time to visit
November to February
Access
Located in Madhya Pradesh, Sanchi is connected to Bhopal. By road
which is 46 kilometers away via Diwanganj and 78 kilometers away
via Raisen. To get to this site one must reach Bhopal, which is
well connected by air, rail and road to Delhi, Mumbai, Gwalior
and Indore, and thereafter use the motorable road to Sanchi.
Where
to stay
Sri Lanka Mahabodhi society Rest House, Travelers Lodge; Buddhist
guesthouse, Circuit House.
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