Sanchi

Sanchi a small hamlet in the beautiful foot hills in the state of Madhya Pradesh is an important pilgrim center for all the Buddhists. It is believed that King Ashoka of the Maurya dynasty built a grand Stupa at Sanchi in the 3^rd century, inspired by his love for a girl called Devi.

Later the Pushyamitra Sunga became the king and destroyed the original Stupa, but his son, Agnimitra re-built the version we see today. The monument or simply the Stupa is exemplary of the architectural feats of ancient India, which are hard to replicate even to the present times.

The Stupa is surrounded by four Toranas or gateways, each representing peace, love, trust and courage. There is also a balustrade encircling the structure. The gateways and the balustrade are profusely carved. Also, there a beautiful chatra over the top of the Stupa that represents power and high rank.

The most amazing thing to be noticed about the Stupa is that even when it is highly symbolic of Buddhism is dedicated the Lord Buddha, the Lord is believed to have never been here.

The construction style, the peaceful ambiance and the quietness of the place makes most people feel at ease and experience an unimaginable piousness of sorts. For those of you, who’re not religiously inclined, the the surroundings of the place will definitely make for a good reason why you should visit it.

The importance that Sanchi has acquired as a tourists place in the past years, also renders it is well connected with other parts of the state. The capital city of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal is just 46 km from here. You can hire a cab, bring your own car, or even come by train up till Sanchi Village, from where reaching the Stupa will not be a problem.