Located on the foot of a hill-- Sanchi is approximately 50 kms Bhopal. It is more of a village than a town. Sanchi is not only a religious place but also has an Archaeological significance. Sanchi is a site for the numerous stupas which were built on a hill top. The place is related to Buddhism but not directly to the life of Buddha. It is more related to Ashoka than to Buddha. Ashoka built the first stupa and put up many pillars here. The crown of famous Ashoka pillars, with four lions standing back to back, has been adopted as the national emblem of India.

Sanchi adopted Buddhism which replaced the prominent Hinduism. But time took its toll and slowly both the stupas and the place were forgotten. In 1818 Sanchi was rediscovered and it was found that the marvelous pieces of structure were not in good shape. Gradually historical and the religious significance of the place was recognised. Restoration work of the stupas started in 1881 and finally between 1912 and 1919 these were carefully repaired and restored. It was accepted that the structure at Sanchi are the most organised construction which went into the engineering of temples in the medieval period. The carvings here are done with the precision of Jewellers.

Despite the damage and restoration work done Sanchi is the most evocative and attractive Buddhist site in India. Sanchi is primarily a place of Stupas and pillars but the gorgeous gateways add grace to the place. These gateways are beautifully carved and carry scenes from the life of Buddha or Ashoka. These gateways are the finest specimens of early classical art. The images carved on the pillars and the stupas tell moving story of the incidents from the life of Buddha.

Beside the main railway line , the great Sanchi Stupa sits on a gently rising hill. It was originally constructed by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C., and later extended. It is 16 metres high and 37 metres in diametre, with a railing surrounding it. There are four gateways to it through four toranas or gateways, which are themselves masterpieces of Buddhist art. The best preserved is the northern gateway, upholding a broken wheel of law, whereas the oldest is the southern gateway. Several pillars stand around Pillar No.10 was erected by Emperor Ashoka himself and is close to the southern entrance to the great stupa. Halfway down the hill to the west, sits a second stupa, with 'medallions' decorating the surrounding walls with lovely motifs. It contained relics of important Buddhist teachers, and it is because the teachers were lower in stature to the Buddha and his direct disciple, that this stupa is positioned lower than the great stupa. The third stupa stands north-east of the main stupa and although smaller, resembles the great one. It once contained the relics of two of Buddha's most important disciples. There are two other big stupas , one of them in very bad condition, and many small ones - some less than a metre high. To the south of the great stupa is a chaitya or hall, and a smaller temple, both reminiscent of Greek architecture. There are traces of wooden viharas or monasteries on the site.

SIGHTSEEING

Great Stupa No 1: The oldest stone structure in India, 36.5 m in diameter and 16.4 m high, and with a massive hemispherical dome, the stupa stands in eternal majesty, the paved procession path around it worn smooth by centuries of pilgrims.

Stupa No . 2 .This stupa stands at the very edge of the hill and its most striking feature is the stone balustrade that rings it.

Stupa No.3. Situated close to the Great Stupa. The hemispherical dome is crowned, as a mark of its special religious significance, with an umbrella of polished stone. The relics of Sariputta and Mahamogallena, two of the Buddha's earliest disciples, were found in its inmost chamber.

The Four Gate Ways - The Four gateways constructed in Sanchi are the best form of Buddhist expression one can find any where in the world. Gateways or Toranas as they are called are covered with explicit carving which depict scenes from the life Buddha and Jatakas, the stories relating to Buddha and his earlier births. At this stage Buddha was not represented directly but symbols were used to portray him - The lotus represents his birth, the tree his enlightenment, the wheel, derived from the title of his first sermon, the footprints and throw symbolising his presence.

The Ashoka Pillar - The Ashoka pillars is one many pillars which are scattered in the area some of these are in broken and some in shape. The Ashoka pillar is on the southern entrance. Today here only the shaft stands and the crown is kept in the museum. The crown is the famous four lions which stand back to back. This figure has been adopted as the national Emblem of India. The Ashoka pillars are an excellent example of he Greco-Buddhist style and is known for the aesthetic proportions and the exquisite structural balance.

THE BUDDHIST VIHARA
The earlier monasteries were made from wood which was exquisitely carved and tastefully decorated. The present monasteries are not even the shadow of what they were in the past. A few kms from Sanchi are the relics of the Satdhara Stupa. The relics are kept in glass casket which is placed on the inner sanctum of the modern monastery.

The Great Bowl - Sanchi had a huge bowl carved out of single rock. Grain was stored in this bowl and it was distributed among the monks in Sanchi.

The Gupta Temple - This temple is now in ruins. But what ever is left tells a saga of greatness and a temple which had no match during its times. The temple was built in 5 the century and is an excellent example of ancient temple architecture in India.

The Museum - The archaeological survey of India maintains a museum which house many items which were discovered during the excavation of Sanchi area. Most prized possession of the museum is the lion crown from Ashoka pillar. The museum has a sizeable collection of utensils and other items used by the monks who lived here.

CLIMATE
As such the climate of Sanchi is moderate and it can be visited any time of the year. But the summers can prove to be very hot and winters may be biting cold. Nevertheless, it is better to visit the place during he winters. The best season to visit this Buddhist pilgrimage is between October and March.

GETTING THERE
Sanchi is not so hot place on the tourist map and mainly attracts the Buddhist pilgrims. The nearest Airport is that of Bhopal. From Bhopal one can take flights to any place in India. From Bhopal one can hire a taxi or take bus to Sanchi. There is a railway station in Sanchi which is on the Jhansi-Itarsi section. But the most convenient railhead is that of Vidisha. Sanchi has motorable roads which connects the place from any where in the state and as well as the tourists places in the neighbouring states.

HOW TO REACH
By Air: Nearest airport is at Bhopal (46 km via Diwanganj and 78 km via Raisen) which is Connected with Delhi, Bombay, Gwalior and Indore.

By Rail: Sanchi lies on the Jhansi-Itarsi section of the Central Railway. However, the most Convenient railhead is Vidisha (10 km).

By Road: Good motorable roads connect Sanchi with Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Vidisha and Raisen, besides other places.