Great Stupa

Sanchi is a tiny village located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is around 46 km away from Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. It is a noted Buddhist pilgrimage destination in India. Sanchi is the place which is found synonymous with Buddhist monuments most of which were constructed during 3rd century BCE to twelfth century CE. Today, many pleasure tourists from across the world visit this city to relish the beauty of glorious monuments and museums in Sanchi. However, the one site which always features on top of their itinerary is Great Stupa, Sanchi. The Great Stupa in Sanchi, India was originally built by the ruler Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. The center of this stupa boasted of a plain hemispherical brick like structure. This structure was laid to over the remains of the Buddha. Sanchi Great Stupa also features an attractive and magnificent chhatra. This chhatra has a parasol-like structure. It symbolizes high rank. It is believed that this Chhatra was constructed to honor and shelter the remains. In the middle of the 2nd century BCE, the Great Stupa, Sanchi was completely refurbished. During the process of refurbishment some additions were brought to this symbolic structure which comprised of a stone casing, a porch with a double flight of steps, balustrades, a processional path, an umbrella and railing. All these were built of sandstone. However in the 1st century BCE, 4 intricately carved gateways were made here. Before 450 AD, when the Great Stupa in Sanchi was undergoing the process of renovation that time four stone Buddhas were brought and set against the Stupa walls. They were set to face the gates. Today, on a close at these effigies you will get to see elaborate carvings that were done on the haloes of the effigies.