Sanchi, a name synonymous to Lord Buddha, is a beautiful town adorned with numerous stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars of the Ashok an era that are bound to leave anyone awe-struck. As a child, I always found history to be one of the most fascinating subjects. In fact, when we were first introduced to the concept of Buddhism and the teachings of Lord Buddha, I found the idea of peace and meditation extremely appealing. I desperately wanted to learn more about the origins of Lord Buddha, his teachings, followers any every other detail about Buddhism. Years later, when I finally decided to pay a visit to the Sanchi Stupa, I knew I had a lot to discover and cherish.
What You Must Know?
The Sanchi Stupa is a prominent Buddhist monument that reflects the beauty and vivacity of the Buddhist art and style of architecture. Situated in the town of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh (India), the Stupa was constructed during the rule of the Mauryan dynasty. The Stupa was commissioned by Emperor Ashoka and is essentially a hemispherical dome that is 54ft. high. It also features a centralized chamber featuring Lord Buddha’s relics. In addition to this, the Stupa also has 4 beautifully ornamented gateways as well as a balustrade that surrounds it. The Stupa that attracts thousands of tourists from all parts of the globe has also recognized by the UNESCO as the World Heritage Site. The Stupa’s construction
Emperor Ashoka laid the foundations of the Stupa primarily because his first Queen Devi belonged to Sanchi. In fact, after Emperor Ashoka had embraced Buddhism, he constructed the first Stupa in Sanchi and then went on to build many more to spread the teachings of Lord Buddha. In fact, Sanchi in itself was built in the form of the Buddhist studies as well as learning center.
My Experience at the Sanchi Stupa
There’s just one word in which I can sum up my visit to the Sanchi Stupa and that is –“Fascinating”. Yes, the Stupa will leave you enchanted from the moment you step into it. It displays the astounding Buddhist art, architecture and sculpture and will fill you with amazement. In fact, when you leave Sanchi, you will want to know more about Lord Buddha, his philosophies, life and teachings. The audio guides available at the site threw more light on the history, magnificence and beauty of the Stupa. The gardens near the monument are impressive and a great place to unwind and relax. There are many shops in the vicinity from where you can shop for miniature mementos to carry home for reliving the memories of your visit to the Stupa.
The Sanchi Stupa is around 90 minutes away from Bhopal and is very well maintained and peaceful. In fact, you will love the serene environment, tidy lawns and the staff who will constantly ask you about your experience at the Stupa.
Best Time to Visit the Stupa
The best time to visit the Sanchi Stupa is in the months of winter i.e. between November-March. The entry fee for one person is Rs30 for the citizens of India as well as the tourists from BIMSTEC and SAARC nations. For children up to 15 years there is absolutely no entry fee.
How Can You Get There?
In order to get to the Sanchi Stupa, one can access the Airway, Railway or Roadway route. One can easily get to the Raja Bhoj airport in Bhopal and then travel 55kms to the North-east of the airport to get to the Stupa. Alternatively, one can take the rail route to get to Bhopal and then book a car or travel by bus to Sanchi. Many tourists choose to travel by road as Sanchi is only 46kms from Bhopal, 10km from Vidisha as well as 232kms from Indore.
-Puja Bhardwaj