The name of the great emperor Asoka and history of Sanchi play the role of synonyms. Asoka is the first reference that you will get when Sanchi in conversation. Indeed, it was him who gave this town its due significance by constructing the immortal masterpieces in the form of stupas and pillars. The greatness of Sanchi was enhanced when Asoka, the then king tied nuptial knots with a woman from Vidisha, a nearby town. Impressed by the resplendent vista of the hill, he who was a Buddhist patronage, decided to build the construct a glazed stone pillar and a stupa built of brick and mortar. These initial constructions at Sanchi can be traced back to 3rd century. Till the 12th century many other monuments and temples were added to the site by the different rulers. However, after that, due to the ignorance and partly carelessness these monuments went into the deterioration, until in 1818 an abecedarian archaeologist tracked these monumental heritage and the restoration work was started. By the year 1919, under the guidance of John Marshall, the whole area was excavated and recuperated to its present condition.

The main attractions of Sanchi is incorporated in its stupas, pillars gateways and the museums that are a part of the world heritage site. You must visit these stupas to know more about them. The pillars will give you a feeling of pride and honour while the gateways are the way to achieve sanctity. So do not wait but grab this opportunity to be a part of the great history that has been decked by the holistic stay of Lord Buddha.

Due to the presence of many stupas, bifurcation have been done numerically. The Stupa No. 1 is the oldest and the exalted of all. Also described as the great stupas, this is the one that was built by the emperor Ashoka himself. There is a monolithic hemispherical dome stands that gives this stupa the dimension of 36.5 m and the height of 16.4 mt (excluding the umbrella and railings). Supposed to be a replica of the funerary mound of the kings, this fact was proved due to the presence of the umbrella at the top of the stupa which was a royal symbol.
Want to see some ringed stupas, then head towards the Stupa No. 2, that stand at the edge of the hill. Notice the handrail that encircle it. This divine structure was added in the late 2nd century BC by the Shungas rulers. You must see the Stupa No. 3, housing the mortal remains of the two disciples of Buddha, Sariputta and Mahamogallena. When you are here, you must notice the umbrella of polished stones and the crowning of the hemispherical dome, that is the cumulative of the religious grandness.

The gateways of the these magnificent stupas are the finest work of Sanchi art and have the episodes of Buddha’s life carved on them. The Four gateways are part of your must visit. Try reading the inscriptions on them, that of course if you are able to. The guides will tell you that these are the depiction of the stories related to Buddha. The eastern gateway explicate the scene from Buddha’s life where, the young Gautama (Buddha) leaves his father’s palace in search of enlightenment. The seven incarnations of Buddhism is explained on the western gateway, while the southern gateway depicts the birth of the custodian of Buddhism, Gautama. Annotations of the miracles that have been betrothed with Lord Buddha in the Jatakas (text that concerns the previous birth of Buddha) are contained on the northern gateway of the stupa.

Your trip will absolutely be incomplete of you do not visit the alpine Asoka Pillar, standing close to the southern gateway of the great stupa. An example of the Greco-Buddhist style of architecture, this pillar is known for its aesthetic proportions and exquisite carvings. It is from there that the symbol of our national emblem, that is four lions facing the four directions, have been adopted.
Want to see some more fineness, sight the Great Bowl, that was used to distribute the food among the monks. This stupendous bowl was constructed out of a single block of stone.

Getting There :

Air - Nearest airport is Bhopal (46 kms). Well Connected with Major Flights in theCountry.

Rail - Nearest railhead is Bhopal 46 kms. Strong Railway Connection ConnectsSanchi to Different Parts of Madhya Pradesh.

Road - A Strong Network of Roads Connect Sanchi to Bhopal (46km), Vidisha (10km) and Indore (232kms).