|
Sanchi is
just 46 kms Bhopal. It is more of a village than a town. Sanchi is
a religious place with historical and Archaeological significance.
Sanchi is a site for the numerous stupas which were built on a
hill top. The place is related to Buddhism but not directly to the
life of Buddha. It is more related to Ashoka than to Buddha.
Ashoka built the first stupa and put up many pillars here. The
crown of famous Ashoka pillars, with four lions standing back to
back, has been adopted as the national emblem of India.
 Sanchi
adopted Buddhism which replaced the prominent Hinduism. But time
took its toll and slowly both the stupas and the place were
forgotten. In 1818 Sanchi was rediscovered and it was found that
the marvelous pieces of structure were not in good shape.
Gradually historical and the religious significance of the place
was recognise d. Restoration work of the stupas started in 1881
and finally between 1912 and 1919 these were carefully repaired
and restored. It was accepted that the structure at Sanchi are the
most organised construction which went into the engineering of
temples in the medieval period. The carvings here are done with
the precision of Jewellers.
Despite the damage and restoration work done Sanchi is the most
evocative and attractive Buddhist site in India. Sanchi is
primarily a place of Stupas and pillars but the gorgeous gateways
add grace to the place. These gateways are beautifully carved and
carry scenes from the life of Buddha or Ashoka. These gateways are
the finest specimens of early classical art, which formed the seed
bed of entire vocabulary of later Indian art. The images carved on
the pillars and the stupas tell moving story of the incidents form
the life of Buddha.
Sight
Seeing
SANCHI
STUPAS: Sanchi has been famous for the Stupas which were built
on the top of a hill. The purpose of these stupas was mostly
religious. The most likely use of the stupas has been said to keep
the relics. Some of these stupas have been found containing relics
of disciples of Buddha. The stupas date as early as the 3rd
century and are built in brick made of stone. Though most of the
stupas are in ruins now three remain intact and are of great
archaeological value. The designs and the carvings on the walls
and gates of these stupas spell a heavenly grace and are very
tastefully done
Sanchi has
been famous for the Stupas which were built on the top of a hill.
The purpose of these stupas was mostly religious. The most likely
use of the stupas has been said to keep the relics. Some of these
stupas have been found containing relics of disciples of Buddha.
The stupas date as early as the 3rd century and are built in brick
made of stone. Though most of the stupas are in ruins now three
remain intact and are of great archaeological value. The designs
and the carvings on the walls and gates of these stupas spell a
heavenly grace and are very tastefully done.
Great Stupa No. 1 - This is one of the oldest stupas in
India. 36.5 m in diameter and 16.4 m high with a hemispherical
dome this massive structure was constructed by Ashoka in the 3rd
century B.C. But the whole structure was enlarged later. Today the
original brick structure by Ashoka is inside the enlarged stone
one. The stupas of Sanchi stand on the top of a hill. There are
four entrances to the great stupa. A railing encircles the stupa.
The entrance is through the magnificently carved gates or as they
call it the Torans. These Torans are one of the finest example of
Buddhist art in India and are best works at Sanchi. The path to
the stupa has been smoothen by the centuries of pilgrims visiting
the place. Near the stupa stands a Chunar sandstone pillar which
has some edicts by Ashoka which warns against the schism within
Buddhism.
Stupa No. 2 - This is second stupa on the Sanchi hill. This
again a very good example of the Buddhist architecture. The stupa
stands on the very edge of the hill. Though there are no entrance
to this stupa, it attracts visitors for the stone balustrade which
encircles it. The wall of stupa is decorated with medallions. But
the seems to be an imagination of a child as they depict animals,
flowers people and scenes from the mythology.
Stupa No. 3 - The third stupa is located near Great Stupa.
This stupa is crowned by a polished stone umbrella. The crown
denotes some religious significance. There is only one entrance to
this third stupa, In the stupa the relics of Sariputta and
Mahamogallena were discovered. These two were the earliest
disciples of Buddha. The relics were carried to England in 1853
and were returned to Sanchi in 1953.
The
Ashoka Pillar - The Ashoka pillars is one many pillars which
are scattered in the area some of these are in broken and some in
shape. The Ashoka pillar is on the southern entrance. Today here
only the shaft stands and the crown is kept in the museum. The
crown is the famous four lions which stand back to back. This
figure was adopted as the national Emblem of India. The Ashoka
pillars are an excellent example of he Greco-Buddhist style and is
known for the aesthetic proportions and the exquisite structural
balance.
The Buddhist Vihara - The earlier monasteries were made
from wood which was exquisitely carved and tastefully decorated.
The present monasteries are not even the shadow of what they were
in the past. A few kms from Sanchi are the relics of the Satdhara
Stupa. The relics are kept in glass casket which is placed on the
inner sanctum of the modern monastery.
The Great Bowl - Sanchi had a huge bowl carved out of
single rock. Grain was stored in this bowl and it was distributed
among the monks in Sanchi.
The Gupta Temple - This temple is now in ruins. But what
ever is left tells a saga of greatness and a temple which had no
match during its times. The temple was built in 5 the century and
is an excellent example of ancient temple architecture in India.
The Museum - The archaeological survey of India maintains a
museum which house many items which were discovered during the
excavation of Sanchi area. Most prized possession of the museum is
the lion crown from Ashoka pillar. The museum has a sizeable
collection of utensils and other items used by the monks who lived
here.
Four
Gate Way, Sanchi
Th e
Four gateways constructed in 35 BC are the best from of Buddhist
expression one can find any where in the world. Gateways or Torans
as they are called are covered with explicit carving which depict
scenes from the life Buddha and the the Jatakas, the stories
relating to Buddha and his earlier births. At this stage Buddha
was not represented directly but symbols were used to portray
him-- The lotus represents his birth, the tree his enlightenment,
the wheel, derived from the title of his first sermon, the
footprints and throw symbolizing his presence. The carvings on the
Torans are done with inspired imagery which in harmony with the
surrounding figures balance the solidity of massive stupas.
The Western Gate : This gate has depictions of the seven
incarnations of Buddha. The six incarnations before becoming the
Buddha is called the Manushi Buddha. The architraves is supported
by the dwarfs. One of the pillars shows Buddha resisting the
temptation of Mara. while the demons are fleeing the angles cheer
Buddha. On the bottom Architraves the colourful stories of the
Chhadanta Jataka are also carved with the intense care. Pot
bellied dwarfs support the architraves on this gate.
The Eastern Gate : The pillars of this gate depicts story of the
great departure of Prince Gautama. The pillar shows vividly the
moments when the Gautama was leaving his fathers a place in search
of Enlightenment. It also depicts the dream which Gautama's mother
had before his birth. on the pillar Buddha is shown as riderless
horse. Also on the architraves are hanging images of Yakshi which
is one of the best known images from Sanchi.
The Southern Gate : This gate is a representation of scenes from
the life of Ashoka and Buddha's Birth. There is another
representation of the Great Departure. This oldest of the three
gates and is very rich in the carvings.
The Northern Gate : This gate is crowned by the wheel of law and
depicts the miracles which took place during the life of Buddha.
Though the wheel is broken the northern gate is the most well
preserved gates of all the four. The architraves of this gate is
supported by elephants facing four directions, the gap between the
architraves is filled by more horses and elephants.
|
