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The 'Great Shanti Stupa of Sanchi' stands tall among other structures of budhhist pilgrimage at Sanchi having a height of 16.46 mtr and a massive diameter of 36.50 mtr. Stupas are large hemispherical structures used to serve as mounds for the relics of Buddha and his close disciples. The Sanchi Stupa is atop a hill which is around 91 metres high, being a bit away from the noise of main Sanchi town.
Sanchi Stupa is over an elevated base having stairs moving clockwise to re ach the paved pathway around it which has been smoothen by the buddhist followers who circumambulate the structure from centuries. This pathway is enclosed by a railing known as Vedika , and to it's four geographical directions there stands four gateways which are eastern gateway, southern gateway, western gateway and northern gateway. These gateways are beautifully carved marvels revealing the life of Buddha and are called Toranas. Out of these, the eastern gate depicts lord Buddha heading towards the path of salvation, dream of his mother Maya and the Jataka tales. The southern gate is the oldest of all four gates and it depicts birth of Buddha and scenes from the life of Mauryan emperor Ashoka who followed buddhism. The western gate includes the seven incarnations of lord Buddha, though only represented symbolically by stupa, footprints and bodhi tree. The northern gate carvings reveals Lord Buddha's life, reincarnation and the 'wheel of law'. A three level umbrella like or parasol structure which is often called Chhatra is at the top of the hemispherical structure, and is covered by Harmika which is a square short railed platform.
 History of Sanchi Stupa
The Great Stupa was given a status of World Heritage Site in 1989 by UNESCO. The history of the Great Stupa dates back to third century B.C. and it's foundation was laid by the mauryan emperor Ashoka, who was once a powerful ruler of with empire spread all over India and Afghanistan. Ashoka chose to follow Buddhism, and he worked actively towards development of structures of buddhist pilgrimage. At that time, he was the Governer of Vidisha and was married to Devi, daughter of a local merchant. The developments he started, was followed by the coming dynasties too and the saga of heavenly architecture continued till twelfth century A.D. Sanchi became a place of buddhist importance with structures revealing the life of Lord Buddha before his birth as Maya's dream and even beyond his enlightenment and reincarnations. Sanchi is a place which has witnessed all the phases of buddhism, from rising towards its peak and a decline. The Great Stupa and the other Stupas were meant to contain the relics of Buddha and his chosen disciples. These structures after the decline of buddhism in India reached a ruined state and left neglected, it was early in the eighteenth century when this site was rediscovered. The restoration work started in the late years of eighteenth century and the structure was repaired and restored between 1912 and 1919. The other buddhist structures like stupas and monasteries now stand restored as masterpieces of architecture.
Special attractions in and around Sanchi Stupa
Hill top of Sanchi has been found to be an important place of buddhist heritage. The things worth seeing at this place of marvellous architecture are many but largely lead by the Great Shanti Stupa. The four gateways of this great stupa is a marvel of ancient art. The monolithic Ashoka Pillar is also a nice att raction among visitors, whose lion capital has been kept in the museum at the site which is maintained by Archaelogical Survey of India and one must pay a visit to have a look at the ancient pieces of marvel found during the excavation. Besides, there is stupa no. 2 which lies at the egde of the hill, special thing behind it is the stone balustrade that makes it ring. Another stupa no. 3 boasts of a magnificient umbrella of polished stone. The Buddhist Vihara is a must see as the monasteries are made out of tastefully carved wood. The Great Bowl which had been carved out of a single rock was used to store grain, and this grain was distributed among the monks. Another good example of ancient architecture is the fifth century Gupta Temple, even whose ruined structure can tell you how majestic it would had stand in the ancient times.
Best Time to Visit Sanchi Stupa
Sanchi is an interesting place and is worth visiting to peep in the heritage of buddhism. Best time for a visit starts from October and goes upto March. In November the celebrations of festival Chethiyagiri Vihara can be a good experience to watch.
 Timings: Visitors are allowed between 0900 - 1700 Hrs.
Location of Sanchi Stupa
State: Madhya Pradesh
District: Vidisha
Distance from nearest cities: Sanchi is 9 kms from Vidisha and 46 kms from Bhopal.
How to reach Sanchi Stupa
Nearest airport: Bhopal has a well connected airport from which Sanchi lies just 46 kms away. The airport is nicely connected to other major cities of India.
Nearest railway stations: Railhead of Sanchi is on Jhansi-Itarsi section but most of the trains does not have a stoppage here. Most appropriate railhead is Vidisha which is 9 kms away from Sanchi. The railhead at Bhopal which is 46 kms only, is also convenient to get there.
Directions by road from nearby cities: Sanchi is 46 kms north-east of Bhopal and Buses and Taxies ply frequently on good motorable roads. Further, Sanchi is 9 kms south-west from Vidisha, and other cities like Raisen, Sagar, Indore and Gwalior are also connected by good road network.
Phone Number of Tourism Deparment:
Telephone No.: +91-755-2778383/2774340,42,43,44
Fax: +91-755-2779476/2774289
E-mail of Tourism Department:
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Climatic conditions:
Sanchi has a moderate climate, summers can be very hot and winters could be much chilling. In summers, temperature swings 45-25 degrees, while in winters 22.5-10 degrees. Besides, summer and winter this place also witnesses a good monsoon season every year.
Clothing: Cotton clothing in summers and woollen in winters.
Tourist destimations near Sanchi Stupa
When you come to Sanchi, another place for some more excursion could be Heliodorous Pillar locally known as Khamb Baba at Vidisha which is 56 kms from Bhopal. Raisen Fort at Raisen which is 47 kms from Bhopal. Udaigiri boasts of beautiful Hindu and Jain rock cut cave structures, which are found to be quite an exhilarating experience. These structures are just 13 kms from Sanchi.
This article is contributed by Akash Kaushal. Photos are contributed by Kiran
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