About the Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh :
Near Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh, lies the principle Buddhist site named Sanchi. Numerous Stupas, Monasteries and Viharas adorn the place and one finds maximum solace in this region. These have been exhumed from the ground and makes way for precise analysis of the events that went on during the ancient era and time of construction of such stupas and monasteries.This makes the historian and the archeologist sure of the natural facts, the main events that occurred and also the conspicuous specifics that one cannot ignore. The cluster of monuments are all situate atop the hill which is almost 91 meters high, and offers an enchanting view from a distance.It is a well known fact that the life of Lord Buddha is not directly associated with any of the places at the Sanchi, but that the stupas erected there has an integral relationship with the activities of the Buddhist Monks and King Asoka who erected numerous structures in that region all that are related to Lord Buddha. His dying words were “Now O Priests, I take leave of you….Work out your salvation with diligence.”The Stuapas that mainly attract the tourist attention have been constructed by the great king Asoka, and the stupas are generally referred by the number assigned to them. Near the Stupa no.1 there is a pillar that have been erected by the king Asoka, and is a unique structure that attracts the tourists all over the world.
Moreover the Buddhist Vihara is another important locale that attracts the tourist because of its elegance and constitution. It is a modern monument that enshrines in a glass casket the relics that have been discovered from Satdhara Stupa. The Gupta Temple and the Great Bowl also deserves mention among the other interesting spots in Sanchi.
Some Tourist Attractions in Sanchi :
Asoka Pillar in Sanchi :
Asoka Pillar with its Four Lion headed stubs is the creation of the great Emperor Asoka.It is the construction that dates back to the 3rd Century BC, and is unique in it; the exclusive quality of this Pillar is the exquisite polish, and the pillar is still shiny and glitters as the sunrays falls on it. The shaft of the Asokan Pillar is clearly visible from a distance but the crown has been kept in the Museum.The crown of the Asokan Pillar is an asset to the Indians, because it bears the statue of Four Lions that are aced back to back. This I the latter stage has become the emblem of the Indian currency and the National Emblem of India.
The Great Bowl in Sanchi :
The Great Bowl at Sanchi is the supreme bequest of the Ancient Era, and consists of one stone block, exhumed in the Sanchi region. Sanchi is one of the main sites of tourist attractions in Madhya Pradesh and is renowned for the numerous Stupas and Pillar inscriptions that people of Indian proudly adore.The region of Sanchi is also famous for the Buddhist Monasteries. It has numerous places of attractions like the Stupas that are numbered in order to keep a record of them and also to enable the tourists know the main events related to these stupas and reason for their erection.
Gupta Temple in Sanchi :
The Gupta Temple at Sanchi is one of the most conspicuous specimens of the Indian Style of architecture. It has been constructed in the 4th Century AD, but the temple is now in its ruins. The temple, so to say consists of a single flat roofed chamber and a columned deck in the frontage.The Great British Soldier Sir John Marshall was so much impressed by the temple that he designated the same as the most elegant architectural structure in India. Since the Gupta Temple belongs to the Age of the Guptas, it has been given the epithet of the Golden Temple.
Toranas (Gateways) in Sanchi :
Lord Buddha is said to have takes seven births in order to attain the enlightenment and these seven lives of Lord Buddha is known as the Jatakas. The story of the Jatakas has been elegantly unscripted in the pillars or the Stupas of Sanchi.These were the Archeological structures that have been erected in 35 BC, but the most distressing fact is that during renovation of these Stupas the gateways collapsed and there is not much to see now, since the original structure is no more.
Buddhist Viharas in Sanchi :
Viharas are the places where the monks or the priests of the Buddhist Cults used to stay. Buddhist Viharas have special importance because they have been constructed with special care and concern so that the rooms are completely free from the outside disturbances, and are also well protected from sunlight and rain.This has been done specially in order to enable the Buddhist students study the scriptures with patience and attention. We can site the example of the Nalanda University that is locate in Bihar, this is the site where the students used to come from distance areas and study with their masters.
Sanchi Museum in Sanchi :
Sanchi had been the most important archeological site in India. It is also one of the main sources d the Indian excavations from where numerous valuable materials have been exhumed and people gather here to admire the architecte and the exquisite glamour of the Sanchi Place.Museum at Sanchi encloses some of the most precious archaic objects that deserve special mention. Among them the Asokan Pillar crown is the most important. It is constructed of the four Lion Heads that are place back to back and the structure has been so much impressive that the Government of India has taken that as an emblem of Indian Life; so that the currency of India always has a stamp of the Lions depicting courage and power.
How to Reach Sanchi :
by Air: The nearest airport is Bhopal the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal is an important domestic airport in central India, which is served by several airlines. Regular flights connect Bhopal to key Indian cities like: Delhi, Mumbai and so on.
by Road: Sanchi is located close to important cities in Madhya Pradesh. A good network of roads connects Sanchi to Bhopal (46kms), Vidisha (10kms), Indore (232kms).
by Rail: The nearest Railhead from Sanchi is also located at Bhopal. A well-laid rail network links Bhopal to several Railway Stations in India.
