Sanchi
Serenity in the stone

The stupa is an imposing structure that is 42 feet high and 106 feet wide. It is possible that the central chamber of the stupa is a large hemispherical dome that houses several relics of the Buddha. Traditionally, however, stupas do not contain relics and merely illustrate teachings and philosophies through carvings. The Sanchi shrine is surrounded by elaborate toranas which are self-supporting arched doorways used for ceremonial purposes in Indian temple architecture.
These intricate carvings are inspired by the events and miracles of the Buddha’s life from the Buddhist stories of the jataka. It was held up by a raised terrace around its base and enclosed by a wooden balustrade surmounted by a stone umbrella. The stupa can often be seen at a distance of 4 km, surrounded by green trees, and it forms the core around which the other stupas were built.

The town of Vidisha is located at the junction of the Betwa and Bes rivers, only 9 km from Sanchi. This town was called Besnagar at one time. The city was a crucial part of Emperor Ashoka’s rule and was renamed Vidisha in honor of his wife, Devi, who was named Vedisa-Mahadevi.
The latter was the daughter of a merchant who lived near Vidisha. There are many monuments of archaeological and historical importance here, as the city was a crucial center of trade during the 5th and thus 6th centuries. According to local legend, Vidisha was such an influential place that it is mentioned in the epic Ramayana and in the Meghdoot. According to historical records, Vidisha retained its importance even during the golden reign of the Mauryan Empire and the Gupta Empire. At present Vidisha attracts the voyagers for its interesting ruins of the Bija Mandal temple and the Gumbaz ka Makbara. The immense dimensions of the Bija Mandal have led many to draw comparisons between this temple and the one at Konark in Odisha. One can also travel to nearby Gyaraspur to visit other ancient sites. The famous Udaygiri caves are also in the vicinity. They contain various important inscriptions from the Gupta period. There is also a pillar of Heliodorus which is said to have been built in 110 BC and is called Khamba Baba. According to local legend, the pillar was built by Heliodorus after he converted to Hinduism and became a lover of Lord Vishnu. There is an archaeological museum in the vicinity, which houses antiquities dating back to the 9th century.

These caves of the Gupta period, located about 5 km west of Vidisha and 13 km from Sanchi, bear witness to the skill of the craftsmen in carving religious sculptures so intricate and grandiose that they still inspire aesthetic admiration. There are 20 caves in total and one should try to visit as many as possible. They were carved out of sandstone hills in the 4th and 5th centuries. They contain inscriptions in Brahmi that allow us to establish their chronology.
The relief representations, such as the iconographic representation of the boar incarnation of Vishnus in Cave 5, are considered to be among the finest examples of Gupta art. The Varaha figure tells the story of how Lord Vishnu saved the goddess Earth from the demon Hiranyaksha, who had abducted her and taken her to the depths of the ocean. It measures 7 x 4 square meters. This scene has also been hailed as an allegorical statement by the Gupta kings about their ability to protect their land from all evils. These cave temples are considered to be among the simplest and therefore oldest examples of religious architecture in India. The shivling chapel is particularly interesting as its walls are decorated with intricate mythological carvings.

The Buddhist vihara at Sanchi is a place worth visiting. Unlike the older viharas, this one is not carved in wood. It had been the main residence of the monks and had a central space dedicated to common activities. It is surrounded by small rooms where monks can sleep individually.
It is considered one of the most important Buddhist centers and is located a few kilometers from Sanchi. The remains of the Satdhara Stupa can also be found here. Within the vihara is a glass box on a platform, which houses many relics. Thousands of devotees who come here to get a glimpse of the Buddhist culture visit this place. Tourists visit the Buddhist vihara first before going to the other vihara.

Perhaps the greatest attraction of Sanchi is the Ashoka Pillar, located near the southern gate of the famous Sanchi Stupa. The pillar is believed to have been erected in the 3rd century B.C. It is almost identical to the pillar at Sarnath. The entire structure has not been preserved, but the shaft of the pillar can be seen from the doorway, so the crown has been put on display in a museum. The crown of the pillar is its most interesting feature.
It bears the ornament of four royal lions facing in four directions and turning their backs to each other. This figure is considered an impressive example of the aesthetic elegance and consequently of the exquisite structural balance characteristic of Mauryan architecture. The representation of this figure containing the four lions has been adopted as the national emblem of India. It is the lions on this Ashoka pillar that do not support the Dharmachakra, or the wheel of dharma, the law. It is worth visiting the Sanchi Museum just to witness the inspiration of the national emblem in its historical and heritage setting.