- Wednesday, 19 March 2025
A Visit To Historical Stupas Of Sanchi
LB Thapa
Sanchi stupas occupy a special place in the history of India. These stupas are considered one of the most important monuments of Indian architecture. Its grandeur carvings on balusters, pillars, and walls are the master class art in the recorded history of India.
I had the privilege of visiting the Sanchi stupas a number of times because I was born and educated in Bhopal. Sanchi is merely at a distance of 46-km from Bhopal. I was so fascinated with the stupas that I would invariably visit these Buddhist monuments almost every year.
Even today, the surrounding ambiance of Sanchi is more like a village. There is a conspicuous absence of traffic congestion on roads. The majority of the people in Sanchi are involved in agriculture-related activities. Based on the 2011 census, the population of Sanchi is 8,401.
Agriculture is the main profession of the majority of people in Sanchi. The lush green agricultural fields have spread over a large part of Sanchi-- making it a perfect place for people who love nature, peace, and tranquility.
The stupas are located on the top of a hill that is about 91 metres high. Tourists can have a panoramic view of Sanchi village from the hilltop. However, according to ancient documents, Sanchi hill was known as Kakanava. Because of ancient stupas, monasteries, and Buddhist culture, Sanchi had always been attracting thousands of pilgrims, travelers, and scholars.
Most historians and archeologists have agreed about the original stupas, which were made by emperor Ashoka, were made of bricks. However, those stupas were destroyed in the 2nd century BC, during the Shunga dynasty. But Agnimitra had refurbished those stupas by covering the entire stupas with stone slabs. During the Shunga dynasty, the second and third stupas were also built.
In the first BC, four gateways that are more ceremonial and highly artistic balustrades were also built. Hence, the entire development of stupas began during the Maurya Empire period (3rd century BC), the Gupta Empire period (5th century CE), and the 12th century CE. Emperor Ashoka, after completing the monuments of Sanchi stupas, wanted to preserve and propagate the knowledge of Lord Buddha throughout the world.
Emperor Ashoka, the son of the Mauryan emperor Bindusara and the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, ascended the throne of Magadha in 273 BC. After the battle of Kalinga, Emperor Ashoka held himself responsible for the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives in the war. He decided to embrace Buddhism and followed the path of nonviolence and peace for the rest of his life.
In order to give deep respect to Buddha, these magnificent Sanchi stupas were built over the relics of the Buddha. The importance of Sanchi stupas can be understood as the entire area of the stupas has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1989.
The unique stupas of Sanchi were known for centuries as the symbol of dharma until the 12th century. In the course of time, the effects of Buddhism began to die out due to foreign invasions and the glory of Sanchi stupas plunged into oblivion.
In 1818, Sanchi stupas attracted the attention of British archeologists. For the first time, General Taylor had made the first attempt to conserve these ancient monuments. Thereafter from 1822 to 1919, several archeologists made their contributions to recovering several monuments, which had been buried underground.
Sir John Marshall had been credited to establish a museum at the foothill of Sanchi hill. Today this museum is very important from an archeological point of view. Several important artifacts, related to different periods, have been kept under glass cabins for visitors. Those visitors, who have an interest in ancient Buddhist monuments of historical importance, must visit the museum.
The first-time visitor to Sanchi stupa complex should know that there are actually three main stupas. These three stupas are magnificent, glorious, and archeologically very important.
The first stupa was built by emperor Ashoka. It is the largest among all stupas built within the area of Sanchi hill. The present shape and size of the stupa had been completed in three different phases. The original stupa was built with those bricks.
During the Shunga period, the stupa was covered with stone slabs and later railings were added. Likewise, four gateways were erected during the Satavahan rule. The diameter of the stupa is 36.60 metres and its height is 16.46 metres.
The second stupa was built by the Shungas in the 2nd century BC. This stupa attracts visitors for its beautiful depictions of Buddha’s life on railings, pillars, and walls. The third stupa is built in proximity to the first stupa.
This stupa too was built by the Shunga in the second century BC. The diameter of this stupa is 15 metres and its height is 8.23 metres. The sacred relics of Sariputra and Mahamodalaglayayana, who were the disciples of Buddha, were recovered from the base of this stupa.
There are two easy ways to travel to Sanchi---by air and by train. From Kathmandu, one can easily get a direct flight from Kathmandu to Delhi and Delhi to Bhopal. You can stay one day in Bhopal and the next day you can take either a local train, a bus or a taxi.
The train is more comfortable. But I advise you to take a taxi from your hotel. They may charge you a little more money but going to Sanchi by taxi is more comfortable.
Visiting Sanchi by train is also comfortable. There are several trains, which leave from Gorakhpur Railway junction to Bhopal. All those trains, which leave from Gorakhpur junction to Mumbai, must pass through Bhopal.
Perhaps many people don’t know that the national emblem of India (four lions standing back to back) was taken from the Ashoka Pillar erected at the Sanchi stupas.
(All photos by LB Thapa)
(The author is a Pokhara-based freelance writer. He can be reached at writerlbthapa@gmail.com)
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