Sacred Sanchi
Unesco World Heritage Site ‘Mahastupa’ - Great Stupa
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE ‘MAHASTUPA’ (GREAT STUPA) STANDS
HERE
Gupta Temple Architecture
HOME TO THE GUPTA TEMPLE, ONE OF THE EARLIEST EXAMPLES OF
TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
Gupta Art through Udayagiri Caves
THE EVOLUTION OF TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE IS SEEN IN THE GUPTA
TEMPLE IN THE STUPA PREMISES THAT WERE BUILT IN 5TH CENTURY
4 Gateways - Life through Intricate Carvings
HOUSES 4 GATEWAYS THAT SHOWCASE BUDDHA’S LIFE THROUGH INTRICATE
CARVINGS
Asokan Pillar at Archeological Museum
THE LION CAPITAL OF ASHOKAN PILLAR CAN BE FOUND AT THE
ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Great Stupa, the most noteworthy of the structures at the
historic site of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh state, India. It is one of the oldest
Buddhist monuments in the country and the largest stupa at the site.
The Great Stupa (also called stupa no. 1) was originally
built in the 3rd century BCE by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka and is believed to
house ashes of the Buddha. The simple structure was damaged at some point
during the 2nd century BCE. It was later repaired and enlarged, and elements
were added; it reached its final form in the 1st century BCE. The building is
120 feet (37 metres) wide and 54 feet (17 metres) high.
The central structure consists of a hemispherical dome
(anda) on a base, with a relic chamber deep within. The dome symbolizes, among
other things, the dome of heaven enclosing the earth. It is surmounted by a
squared railing (harmika) that can be said to represent the world mountain. A
central pillar (yashti) symbolizes the cosmic axis and supports a triple
umbrella structure (chattra), which is held to represent the Three Jewels of
Buddhism—the Buddha, the dharma (doctrine), and the sangha (community). A circular
terrace (medhi), enclosed by a railing, surrounds the dome, on which the
faithful are to circumambulate in a clockwise direction. The entire structure
is enclosed by a low wall (vedika), which is punctuated at the four cardinal
points by toranas (ceremonial gateways). The toranas of the Great Stupa are the
crowning achievement of Sanchi sculpture. Each gateway is made up of two
squared posts topped by capitals of sculptured animals or dwarfs, surmounted by
three architraves. All the elements are covered with relief sculpture depicting
the events of the Buddha’s life, Jataka stories (about the Buddha’s previous
lives), scenes of early Buddhism, and auspicious symbols. The names of donors
are also inscribed, the most notable one being the ivory workers of Vidisha.
Architraves of the north torana (gateway) of the Great Stupa
at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Art Resource, New York
Sometime after the 12th century CE, Sanchi was abandoned,
and its monuments fell into disrepair. In 1818 British Gen. Henry Taylor came
upon the site and documented his findings. Restoration work began in 1881 and
was completed in 1919 under the supervision of Sir John Hubert Marshall,
director general of the Indian Archaeological Survey. The Great Stupa and
Sanchi’s other Buddhist monuments were collectively designated a UNESCO World
Heritage site in 1989.
The town of Sanchi is synonymous with Buddhist Stupas -
hemispherical structures typically containing relics of the Buddha or his
followers. The Stupas of Sanchi were constructed on the orders of Emperor
Ashoka to preserve and spread the Buddhist philosophy. Sanchi has been
protecting these beautiful and sacred architectural wonders, just the way these
wonders have been safeguarding ancient history and art of the Mauryan period.
The numerous stupas, temples, monasteries and an Ashokan
pillar have been the focus of interest and awe for global audiences as well. In
fact, UNESCO has given the status of 'World Heritage Site' to the Mahastupa.
A visit to Sanchi will bring alive the awe you felt as a
child as you listened to the tales of Ashoka.
http://www.mptourism.com/tourist-places/sanchi-stupa.html
Sanchi is a village
in Madhya Pradesh in India, about 9 km southwest of Vidisha and 46 km from
Bhopal. It is the site of a great Buddhist stupas listed on UNESCO World
Heritage List.
History
Vidisha was the capital city of the ancient Malwa kingdom.
Over the years, many Buddhist monuments were constructed within a 20 kilometre
radius of Vidisha.
The emperor Asoka married a woman from Vidisha. He built for
her the Caityagiri Vihara at Sanchi. Their son the arahant Mahinda set out from
this place to convert Sri Lanka. Their daughter Sanghamitta set off from here
with a sapling of the sacred Bo-tree from Bodhgaya, which was planted in
Anuradhapura: the Sri Mahabodhi which is the oldest recorded tree in the world.
The Sanchi stupas date from the third century BC and are
some of the best preserved historical monuments in India. There is no direct
connection between Sanchi and the Buddha. The seventh century Chinese traveler
Huen Tsang, who journeyed across India and wrote in detail about Buddhist
monuments in India does not even mention Sanchi in his travelogues.
Yet, Sanchi is a must-see on every Buddhist's pilgrimage of
Buddhist holy sites.
Get in
46 km from Bhopal, which is very well connected to the rest
of India. Your own vehicle is not a must, as any buses going to Ashta from
Bhopal can drop you within half a kilometre of the village. And everything,
including the site and the lodging facilities, is within 1 square kilometre.
Also, the Sanchi railway station is very close to the village.
You can also reach by Vidisha station, a less known but
located very near to Sanchi.
See
Sanchi Stupas. edit
Archaeological Museum. They have some wonderful artifacts
there. The history and historical artifacts from places around Sanchi.
Metal-tools and beautiful sculptures as old as 2000 years make you think about
that era. The museum also showcases the history and revival of this place.
Bhopal (Hindi: Bhopaal) is the capital of Madhya Pradesh,
India. It is a good mix of the old and the new with a lot of old portions of
Bhopal reminiscent of the Mughal influence and the new showcasing the planned
development of a modern Indian city. Bhopal is the seat of the Madhya Pradesh
Government and is a beautiful mid-sized city in the heart of India. It is said
that Bhopal was originally called "Bhoj-pal" after Raja Bhoj, who is
attributed with founding the city. It was an important part of the
"Bhoj" kingdom with Ujjaini (a city close to Bhopal) being the seat
of the kingdom.
Get in
By plane
Raja Bhoj Airport. Raja Bhoj Airport’s new terminal
comprises two separate sections for domestic and international flights. The
terminal with all the latest facilities of international standard consists of a
passenger lounge having a seating capacity for 750 people. Apart from that
separate entry and exit points have been made for national and international
flights. A massive car park having a capacity to park 1500 vehicles has also
come up outside the airport. Air India
and Jet Airways run regular air
service linking Bhopal with New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Indore,Chennai,
Kolkata/Calcutta and Mumbai.
On an honest note, no international flight comes here and
there are hardly any facilities inside the terminal (not even decent eateries).
Also, the parking arrangement is very poor.
By train
Bhopal is very well connected by rail and is a major hub and
exchange railway station for the Central and Western Railway networks. Bhopal
has two main railway stations - Bhopal Railway Station in old Bhopal or
Habibganj Railway Station in New Bhopal. Shatabdi express running between Delhi
and Bhopal provides an excellent and convenient means to get here. Apart from
this, regular multiple trains connect Bhopal to all the major metros in India.
Check all connecting trains http://trainspy.com/station/(BPL)BHOPAL--JN Also
for Bhopal Railway Station Code and Train Time Table check: http://www.distancesfrom.in/station-code/bhopal-jn-station-code.html
By Bus
Serving southbound buses there is Kushabhau Thackrey Inter
State Bus Terminus, 5 min walk north east from Habibganj railway station.
By car
Bhopal is also well connected to the major cities in India
through many national highways. Bhopal is a well developed city of the Madhya
Pradesh. Road distance between Bhopal and Gwalior is 449 KM, Bhopal to Jabalpur
is 316 Km. Also get road distance from Bhopal
Within the stupas boundary, you can buy literature and maps
for various tourism sites in MP. At Gateway Retreat (M.P. Tourism Hotel) you
can buy handcrafted statues of Lord Buddha, Sanchi Stupa, etc in marble, stone,
wood and other materials at Alankar Handicrafts.
Eat
Good north Indian, south Indian, continental, and Chinese
food is available.
Drink
One can try sugarcane juice from local vendors but keep an
eye on hygiene aspect. Tourists should rely only on packaged drinking water.
Before buying make sure your Mineral water bottle is properly sealed. There is
a small shop that sells cold, soft drinks.
http://serendipityholidays.in/bali-tour-packages-from-hyderabad/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali
http://serendipityholidays.in/the-ruwanwelisaya-stupa-anuradhapura-sri-lanka/
http://www.dwc.gov.lk/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udawalawe_National_Park
http://www.srilanka.travel/star-tracing-stupas-of-sri-lanka
http://www.archaeology.lk/
http://si.archaeology.lk/
http://serendipityholidays.in/jetavanaramaya-dagoba-stupa-anuradhapura-sri-lanka/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anuradhapura
http://serendipityholidays.in/?p=3152&preview=true
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dambulla_cave_temple
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kandy
http://serendipityholidays.in/the-alcazar-cabaret-pattaya/
Other Links:
http://www.alcazarthailand.com
Alcazar Cabaret Show
Tiffany Show
Tourism Thailand
Nong Nooch Tropical Garden (website)
https://web.archive.org/web/20090917223609/http://www.nongnoochgarden.com/
http://serendipityholidays.in/the-alcazar-cabaret-pattaya/
The Sanctuary of Truth Pattaya Thailand
http://www.hyderabadcarrentals.online/2018/09/12/1-day-hyderabad-tour-by-car-for-sightseeing/
Indra Square Shopping Mall Bangkok Thailand
The Famous Maeklong Train Market Bangkok Thailand
WAT ARUN BANGKOK THAILAND
GOLDEN BUDDHA BANGKOK THAILAND
Thailand 4N5D
The Grand Palace Bangkok Thailand
Train Market videos link
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