Sanchi is a quiet hilly area where archaeological sites such as stupas, monasteries, temples and stone pillars built between 3 BC and 12 AD remain.
The prosperity of Sanchi, an ancient Buddhist monastery and pilgrimage site, can still be glimpsed in the complex structure of graceful sculptures that represent many Buddhist legends.
In Sanchi, following the tradition of the early Buddhist era, Buddha is represented by symbols rather than human figures.The lotus represents the birth of Buddha, the sacred tree represents enlightenment, the Dharmachakra represents the first preaching, and the pagoda represents Nirvana. In addition, the footprints of Buddha and the sacred platform are considered to be signs of the existence of Buddha.
Sanchi was virtually forgotten after the 13th century until it was rediscovered by General Taylor in England in 1818.It was half buried at the time of discovery, but was well preserved, and was later restored in 1912 by Sir John Marshall, director of the British Archaeological Institute.
The Great Stoopa Tower, 36.5 meters straight and 16.4 meters high, is one of the oldest stone structures in India. A stupa towers majestically with a huge hemispherical dome.
The surrounding paths have been paved by many years of pilgrims' patrols.
Originally built by King Ashoka, the earthen stupa has been rebuilt twice in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC.The final addition to this magnificent stupa was the addition of an elaborate and luxuriously carved four-sided gate (Torana).The first gate was built at the south exit, followed by the north, east, and west gates in chronological order.A series of dynamic and elaborate sculptures on the South Gate portray the birth of Buddha.
Dharmachakra is applied to the top of the north gate, which represents the miraculous event related to Buddha described in the Jataka tales.The eastern gate depicts a young Prince Gautama who abandons his lustful life and leaves his father's court in search of enlightenment.On the inside of the pillar on the right, the dream that Buddha's mother, Mrs. Maya, had when she conceived Buddha is depicted.ReliefAt the west gate, four sacred trees and three stupas portray Buddha's first preaching in Sarnath's Rokuyaon, along with the story of Chaddhanta Jataka.
he second stupa, built in the 2nd century BC, stands at the very end of the hill. The most striking feature is the surrounding stone balustrade.The relic of Maudgalyayana, a famous disciple of Buddha, was found in the innermost room of the Stupa Tower 3.
The hemispherical dome is overlaid with a polished stone canopy to show the special religious significance of this stupa. With only one gate, this stupa was built 150-140 BC.Built three centuries BC with carvings of four lions, the stone pillar of King Ashoka is near the south gate of the Great Stupa.Similar to Sarnath's intricately carved stone pillars, this lion is not designed with a Dharmachakra.The characteristic of this stone pillar state-owned is its glossy luster.
The now abandoned Gupta Temple (4th century) is one of the oldest known Indian temple architectures.It consists of a flat-roofed one-story bunch with a pillar-supported entrance on the front.The 18th temple (cathedral) in front of the south gate of the Great Stupa dates from the 7th century and is relatively new. It resembles the place of worship at the Carla Cave Temple in Mahala Chautla
The monastery and the 45th temple, built in the 7th and 11th centuries, show a more developed architectural style.The decorative doorway has an oval portrait of Buddha with a halo. A large bowl made of a block of stone was once used to distribute food to Sanchi monks.
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Tour exampleIndian Buddhist sanctuary pilgrimage tour around the ruins of the eight great Buddhas
