Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi
North of Bhopal, on a small hilltop is some of the oldest and most interesting Buddhist sites in India – the monuments of Sanchi. History tells that when emperor Ashoka once embraced Buddhism he built his first “stupa” at Sanchi and later several more, as well as other religious structures. Some centuries later, when Buddhism was slowly absorbed into Hinduism, the site was forgotten and not rediscovered until 1818 by the Brittish army.
The gates to the stupas – the “toranas” are the real highlight of Sanchi. Absolutely brilliantly carved stone depicts episodes of Buddas life and it is said that the toranas are possibly the best and finest Buddhist art in India.
The most elaborate and well known of the more than 50 magnificent Buddhist monuments that crown the hilltop of Sanchi, India, is Stupa Number One or the Great Stupa. It is part of an entire complex of structures, mostly stupas, built between the 3rd Century BCE and the 12th Century AD. The stupa is not a building in any traditional sense. Once a burial or reliquary mound, the stupa has become a purely symbolic object.
The Great Stupa of Sanchi underwent a complete reconstruction after wanton damage inflicted upon it in the middle of the second century BCE. The reconstruction consisted of a stone casing, a terrace with a double flight of steps, balustrades, a paved processional path and an umbrella and railing -- all built of sandstone. Four elaborately carved gateways were added in the first century BCE.
The last addition took place during the rule of the Guptas, sometime before 450 AD. By now effigies of the Buddha were permitted and four stone Buddhas were placed against the walls of the stupa facing the gates. Their haloes are elaborately carved.
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