Sanchi Stupa

About Sanchi Stupa Bhopal


The land of Buddhism or the land of the Stupas, when one thinks of it the only structure that comes to their mind is the great Sanchi Stupa. The enormous stupa is located in Madhya Pradesh. The Sanchi Stupa is known to be one of the ancient stone structures that India possesses. In the 3rd century BC Ashoka, the emperor of the Maurya dynasty supervised the construction as he was a follower of Buddhism. If one does not know the story behind how Ashoka joined Buddhism then they for sure must enlighten themselves. This monument is a representation of Buddhist art, that not many know about. This structure tells the tales of the growth of Buddhism if only one pays close attention. The great Sanchi Stupa is built on a hill and is located in a city close to Bhopal. 

This destination attracts tourists from around the world because it still has the relics of Buddha. The relics of Buddha were distributed and this Stupa serves as a burial site for some of the remains. There is a lot to see other than the Sanchi Stupa, one can see the beautiful Ashoka Pillar, the ornate on the four gates, the great bowl, and the monasteries. Sanchi Stupa Bhopal is a pilgrim site for people following Buddhism and Buddhist culture. The Greco- Buddhist Style structure is now a well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sanchi Stupa timings are from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm and you should go there as soon as it opens because then you will be able to capture the beauty before it starts getting crowded.

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Sanchi Stupa

Weather : 19° C

Timings :8:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Time Required : 1-2 hours

Entry Fee : Free Entry

Contact Number: +91 9024104977

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History


The Stupa of Sanchi was initially constructed under the supervision of the Muryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd Century BC. Back in those days, Sanchi had many names like Bota-Sri Parvata, Kakanava, Kakanaya and many more. This Sanchi Stupa architecture is sort of an epitome of Buddhist architecture and in 1989 was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site. 
Ashoka created this structure to preserve and enlighten the philosophy of Buddhism and the way one should lead their life. The oldest and most magnificent Stupa is the Great Sanchi Stupa. The emperor made a structure that was built using bricks. It is speculated that in Emperor Pushyamitra's rule the Stupa was destroyed but was later reconstructed using stone slabs, by his son Agnimitra. The area covered by the Stupa kept on increasing with each renovation. 

The Sanchi Stupa Bhopal is popularly known as the Wheel of Law. It is said that the premise was used till the 12th century. Later, Sir John Marshall was the one responsible for the renovation of the Sanchi Stupa from 1912 to 1919, and the structure was known to be rediscovered by General Taylor in 1818 during an excavation.

Architecture


The original structure of Stupa has been renovated several times so no one knows how they originally seemed. It is said that the original structure was built low and was made up of bricks. That structure was not as gigantic as the one we see in present days. Emperor Ashoka hired laborers from Vidisha to construct the beautiful monument. The huge dome also known as the Anda is the sacred location where lie the relics of Buddha. The exact location of the relics is marked by a square boundary also known as the harmika. The huge dome that captures the eyes of every tourist completes the structure. The three umbrella-like structures signify the Triantha of Buddhism. The central pillar supports these structures. Four gateways are tastefully decorated via various designs and motifs.

A pillar made of sandstone carries the inscriptions by Ashoka. A shell script was installed in the premise, it is said to belong to the Gupta period. The great Sanchi Stupa is a monument that had gone through renovations several times and ended up being way too huge than the original structure. The minute carvings on the structure depict the life of Buddha. The lion is a sign of Buddha and can be spotted at various places. The carvings represent different tales and each one of them is unique.

Activities


  • While you are at the Sanchi Stupa you can interact with the locals around and know how things work around there.
  • One can also click pictures and spend some quality time exploring.
  • Be a part of the prayer ceremony held there.
  • Meditate and experience the calm within. 
  • Talk to the monks if they are willing to talk and take a life lesson from them.
     

Tips for visiting


  • Avoid creating a fuss or making noise in the temple
  • Do not disturb people around you and ask the authorities if you have any questions.
  • Wash hands before you walk into the temple.
  • Wear appropriate clothes and respect the privacy of the people around you.
     

Best time to visit


The best time to visit the Stupa of Sanchi is from November to March. The temperature can be quite high during the summers which will cause hurdles in your plans. You can also visit Sanchi Stupa Bhopal during the monsoon season.

Nearby Atractions


  • The Great Bowl
  • Ashok Pillar
  • Eastern Gateway
  • Sanchi Museum
  • Udaygiri Caves
     

Nearby market/ shopping places


Sanchi Bazaar- The bazaar of Sanchi is close to Sanchi Stupa and is a treasure in itself. If you have an eye for unique pieces then it is a win-win situation for you. The streets have stores that sell beautiful keepsakes. 

One must buy the following things from this market: carved furniture pieces, shell work showpieces, brassware, terracotta, and bamboo work. If you want to buy quality fabric then you must explore the markets of Bhopal city. 
 

Nearby Hotels


  • MPT Gateway Retreat, Sanchi
  • Sanghamitra
  • Vamoose Sambodhi
  • Aaram Baagh – Sanchi
  • Riverside Meadows
     

Interesting Facts About Sanchi Stupa


  • Ashoka the great ruler of the Maurya Dynasty ordered for the structure to be built in the honor of Lord Buddha.
  • The Sanchi stupa was constructed in the 3rd BC.
  • The statues of Buddha shine like crystals even today because they were painted using a special polish that was used by the Mauryan Dynasty.
  • The structure still has the relics of Buddha in it. 
  • The Gupta Dynasty did a few renovations and additions in the Stupa.
  • The great Sanchi Stupa is one of the many UNESCO World Heritage sites in India.
  • The Ashoka Pillar of the Sanchi Stupa Bhopal is worth seeing.

Nearby Restaurants


  • Gateway Retreat Restaurant
  • Bapu Ki Kutia
  • Pizza Paradise
  • Gateway Cafetaria
  • Gravity Lounge
     

Sanchi Stupa location Map

How to Reach & Infographic

Getting In bhopal

BY AIR

Sanchi does not have an airport. The airport which you can fly to, to reach Sanchi, is Bhopal. It is 50 km away and once you arrive at Bhopal you can book a cab, catch a train or get on a bus to reach Sanchi. It won’t take much time to reach the Stupa once you reach Sanchi.

BY ROAD

Bus services operate at regular intervals to and fro Sanchi, from major cities close to Sanchi one can easily get on a bus.

BY RAIL

Sanchi has a tiny station of its own which has a few trains that stop by on a daily basis. The major railway station is the one in Bhopal city. Once you reach the station of Sanchi it will take 4 minutes to finally step foot in the premises of the Stupa of Sanchi. 

BY Car

Infographic of Sanchi Stupa

Customer Reviews

Hoteldekho.com Reviews

  • ( 5 - Excellent Based on 1 review )
  • jeevanc207
  • Jaipur
  • ( On january 10, 2022 )
  • 5 - Excellent

Great service and friendly team

Our Rajasthan trip was very unorganized and from day 1 we need to argue for each committed hotel and details. Driver and hotel were not informed in advance and we need to pay 12000/- for the forceful event at the hotel which was never informed to us.

Hoteldekho.com Reviews

  • ( 5 - Excellent Based on 1 review )
  • jeevanc207
  • Jaipur
  • ( On january 10, 2022 )
  • 5 - Excellent

Great service and friendly team

Our Rajasthan trip was very unorganized and from day 1 we need to argue for each committed hotel and details. Driver and hotel were not informed in advance and we need to pay 12000/- for the forceful event at the hotel which was never informed to us.

People Also Ask About Sanchi Stupa

The Stupa Sanchi was initially built in the 3rd century BC by the Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty and houses the ashes of the Buddha also known as the relics of Buddha.

The Great Sanchi Stupa is an ancient stone structure in the country and a precious monument of Indian Architecture. Its head or dome is a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha.

No, there is no need to book in advance to visit the Sanchi Stupa Bhopal.

Hotels near Sanchi Stupa are:

  • MPT Gateway Retreat, Sanchi
  • Sanghamitra
  • Vamoose Sambodhi
  • Aaram Baagh – Sanchi
  • Riverside Meadows
 

The restaurants near the Sanchi Stupa are:

  • Gateway Retreat Restaurant
  • Bapu Ki Kutia
  • Pizza Paradise
  • Gateway Cafetaria
  • Gravity Lounge
 

The attractions one must visit near the Sanchi Stupa are:

  • The Great Bowl
  • Ashok Pillar
  • Eastern Gateway
  • Sanchi Museum
  • Udaygiri Caves

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