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Sanchi is a serene hill crowned by a group of
stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from 3rd Century BC to the
12th Century AD. The glory that was Sanchi, an ancient seat of Buddhist
learning and 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 figure art 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 first sermon and the Stupa/ 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 Archaeology
ordered the restoration work at the site.
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air : At a distance of 46 kilometers at Bhopal is the
nearest airport of Bhopal that connects Sanchi with the other major
cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Gwalior and Indore.
By Rail : The railway station of Vidisha is at a distance of 10
kilometers from Sanchi and caters to the tourists who travel by
trains.
By Road : The road network links Sanchi with Indore, Sagar,
Gwalior, Vidisha and Raisen. From Bhopal the capital city of Madhya
Pradesh, several buses and taxis ply to and from Sanchi.
WHEN TO GO
Best time to visit Sanchi is December & January.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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Great Stupa - The oldest stone structure in
India. 36.5 mt in diameter and 16.4 mt high, with a massive
hemispherical dome, the stupa stands in eternal majesty, the paved
procession path around it worn smooth by centuries of pilgrims
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The Eastern Gateway - It Depicts the young
prince, Gautama leaving his father's palace on his journey towards
enlightenment and the dream his mother had before his birth.
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The Ashoka Pillar - It Lies close to the
Southern gateway of the Great Stupa, and is one of the finest examples
of the Ashokan pillar and is known for its aesthetic proportions and
exquisite structural balance.
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The Great Bowl - Carved out of one block of
stone, this mammoth bowl contained the food that was distributed among
the monks of Sanchi.
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The Gupta Temple - In ruins now, this 5th
century AD temple is one of the earliest known examples of temple
architecture in India.
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The Museum - The Archaeological Survey of India
maintains a site museum at Sanchi. Noteworthy antiquities on display
include the lion capital of the Ashokan pillar and metal objects used by
the monks, discovered during excavations at Sanchi.
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Udaygiri Caves - It is situated 13 km from
Sanchi and 4 km from Vidisha has a group of rock-cut caves. An
inscription in one of these states that it was produced during the reign
of Chandragupta II (382-401 A.D.), thus dating these caves to 4-5 A.D.
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Gyraspur - It is 41 km north-east of Sanchi represent ruins from
9-10 century A.D. in the form of Athakhambe (eight pillars) and
Chaukhambe (four pillars), the remains of the columned halls of two
temples.
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WHERE TO EAT
There are so many good restaurants with different delicacies, and all the
major hotels has their own specialty restaurant and bar.
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