Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh - the best preserved Buddhist Monument of India

4/17/2020

Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is hands down the best preserved Buddhist Monument of India. Located on a small hilltop in the town of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh, this Buddhist complex encompasses buddhist stupas, temples and monasteries. The Great Stupa is the most significant monument which was built in 3rd century BCE. The earliest Stupa was just a a simple brick dome built over the relics of of the Buddha. The a history of several centuries of construction, reconstruction, abandonment and restoration, this now stands as an important monument of Indian Architecture and World Heritage.

The Great Stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

Origin of Buddhism in Ancient India

Buddhism originated as a religion in ancient India based on the teachings of Gautham Buddha who lived in India in 5th century BCE. Buddhism mainly focuses on the suffering that a man goes through in his mundane life and teaches how to end the suffering. According to Buddhism, the main reasons for suffering are - hatred, greed and ignorance. Buddhism teaches the way to end the suffering is the the ultimate goal of human life which can be achieved by attaining nirvana - liberation from cycles of rebirth. Buddhism almost ceased to exist in India (apart from the Himalayan regions) during the Islamic rule from 12th century.

Carvings on Torana - The Great Stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

Propagation of Buddhism by Asoka in Indian Subcontinent

Asoka, an Indian Emperor of Maurya Dynasty got converted to Buddhism after waging a highly destructive war in 3rd century BCE. Ashoka heavily promoted Buddhism by establishing various Buddhist monuments across Asia and marking the important sites in Buddha’s life. He initiated the construction of 84,000 stupas to preserve the relics of Buddha. Sanchi Stupa was an outcome of one of these efforts of Asoka to preserve the relics of Buddha.

The Little Stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

Evolution of Sanchi Stupa - the best Buddhist monument of India

One of the oldest stone structures of India, The Great Stupa at Sanchi was initially just a brick hemisphere built over the relics of Buddha, in 3rd century BCE.
Later in 2nd century BCE, the dome was expanded and covered with stones, an ornamental staircase was added to circumambulate the dome, another stone balustrade was made around the stupa on the ground.
Then in the 1st century CE, the the stupa was accessorised by four eminently decorated gateways, one in each direction.
Until 9th century, few more stupas, buddhist temples and monasteries were added to the complex, .
In 12th century, after the arrival of Islam rulers in India, Buddhism started to decline and the stupas of Sanchi were abandoned, which caused a major destruction to these monuments by overgrown trees. The gateways, temples, monasteries lay in ruins for a very long time.
Only in the 19th century, the restoration work of the Stupa was undertaken by Archeological Survey of India, funded by ShahJahan Begum, the lady ruler of Bhopal.
Each piece of the artistic gateway is so perfectly fitted, that it is difficult to imagine it being in ruined state for centuries. The incredibly well preserved Stupa of Sanchi is now a UNESCO World heritage site.

The Great Stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

Ornamental Balustrade - The Great Stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

Toranas - the decorative gateways of Sanchi Stupa

The Great Stupa of Sanchi is embellished with four lavishly carved Toranas (gateways) in the four directions. The importance of this Buddhist Stupa is magnified by the marvellous gateways displaying Indian, Persian, Greek and Sumerian architecture. Each Torana is made from single highly polished granite stones, however, the carvings on them are so intricate that it gives a feeling of being carved from wood. The reliefs depicting various scenes lives of Buddha were carved by ivory carvers of Vidisha. In the 19th century, the Europeans were very interested in taking the well preserved gateways to their countries’ museums, however, they were allowed to take only the plaster copies of them.

Northern Gateway (Torana) - The Great Stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

Jatakas - the moral tales of Buddhism

The Toranas (gateways) of Sanchi Stupa resemble ancient Instagram walls with a huge collection of illustrations depicting moral tales from the life of Buddha, called Jatakas. Buddha attained Nirvana after many lives, and various stories from all his lives are considered as teachings in Buddhism. In all the scenes on the reliefs, Buddha is never personified even when he is playing the main role.

Miracle of Buddha walking on river: The upper part of the illustration depicts a sage and his disciples trying a rescue in the flooded river. The lower part represents a promenade as Buddha who walked on the river to control the flood as the sage and his disciples pay homage to the Master.

Jataka - Buddha walking on river - The Great Stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

Monkey offering honey to Buddha: The illustration depicts a monkey offering honey to the Pipal Tree which represents Buddha. The other monkey with empty hands represents that the bowl of honey is already offered as homage to the Master.

Jataka - monkey offering honey to Buddha - The Great Stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

Sanchi group of monuments

The heritage site at Sanchi is a cluster of Buddhist monuments which were built after the main Stupa subsequently. Two more stupas containing relics of Buddha’s disciples were added on, one of them is decorated with a Torana. Structures of various Buddhist temples and monasteries also lay in ruins in this complex.

Structure of Buddhist monastery - Sanchi group of monuments, Madhya Pradesh

Light and sound show

Sanchi group of Stupas host a light and sound show in the evenings giving insights into Buddhism, Budhha’s life and Asoka’s propagation of Buddhism. The Great Stupas is impressively personified as the Past Buddha, giving knowledge and wisdom to the smaller stupa personified as present/future Buddha.

Light and sound show - Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh

Experience Architect Padma Shri K.K. Muhammed

Sanchi Stupa was a part of Cultural and Heritage Trail in Madhya Pradesh curated by Times Passion Trails. Living the stories of our rich past was an experience in itself, and to add on to it, we were hearing the stories of the best preserved monument of India from the renowned archaeologist of India Mr. KK Muhammed. He has been the regional director of ASI (Archaeology Survey of India) and recently honoured with Padma Shri award for his outstanding work. Extremely humble with his personality, he shared his deep knowledge about Indian monuments with us, an absolute prestige for us!

Times Passion Trails - Experience Architect Padma Shri K.K. Muhammed

P.S. A visit to Sanchi Stupa was perfect for my dose of positivity and calming vibes on Culture and Heritage trail with Times Passion Trails in collaboration with Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board

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