|
Sanchi is a serene hill crowned by a group
of stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars
dating from 3rd Century BC to the 12th
Century AD. The glory that was Sanchi, an
ancient seat of Buddhist learning and place
of pilgrimage, can still be experienced in
its complex structures where many Buddhist
legends found expression in the rich
sculpture.
Sanchi is little more than a small village
at the foot of the hill on which the site is
located. The Buddhist sites of Sanchi were
included on the World heritage List in 1989.
The Buddha is not represented through
figures at Sanchi, but through symbols, as
was the tradition in the early period of
Buddhism. The lotus represents the Buddha's
birth, the tree signifies his enlightenment,
the wheel represents his first sermon and
the stupa represents his nirvana or
salvation. The footprints and the throne
denote the Buddha's presence.
How to get there
Air :- Nearest airport is at Bhopal
which is connected with Delhi, Bombay,
Gwalior and Indore.
Rail :- Sanchi lies on the
Jhansi-ltarsi section of the Central
Railways. However, the most convenient
railhead is Vidisha (10 km).
Road :- Good, motorable roads connect
Sanchi with Bhopal, Indore, Sagar, Gwahor,
Vidisha and Raisen, besides other places. |