DAY 186 - SANCHI

186) FRIDAY, 30 DECEMBER 1977 : 302KMS. - SANCHI

 

From GULGANJ we drove  through HIRAPUR, BANDA to SANCHI , where we found the stupa of King Asoka (2 BC).

http://munichtomadras1977.blogspot.com

 

There is a carved stone  arch of the Lord Buddha’s life and the Jataka stories and also ruins of temples and stupas scattered  around the hill. At the SANCHI stupa No. 3, relics of monastic disciples, Sariputta and Mokkallana  were discovered.  It was from SANCHI, in 2 B.C., the son of King  Ashoka  named  Mahendra went to Sri Lanka to propagate Buddhism. 

http://munichtomadras1977.blogspot.com

WIKIPEDIA : Sanchi known for its "Stupas", is a small village in Raisen District of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, it is located 46 km north east of Bhopal, and 10 km from Besnagar and Vidisha in the central part of the state. of Madhya Pradesh. It is the location of several Buddhist monuments dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th CE and is one of the important places of Buddhist pilgrimage. It is a nagar panchayat in Raisen district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Toranas surround the Stupa and they each represent love, peace, trust, and courage. This world heritage site is well maintained and is open to public viewing from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It takes about an hour and a half for a non-research visit of the site. Photography is allowed and audio guides are available.

The 'Great Stupa' at Sanchi is the oldest stone structure in India and was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chatra, a parasol-like structure symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter the relics. It has four profusely carved ornamental gateways and a balustrade encircling the whole structure.