Sanchi Tourism

Displaying the pages of 2,300-year-old history, Sanchi is a small ancient town in the central state of Madhya Pradesh known for its religious and historical importance. Sanchi was the center of Buddhist learning and the residence of Buddhist monks for a very long time. Heritage sites like the Great Stupa, better known as Sanchi Stupa, in Sanchi, are among the oldest monuments dedicated to Buddhism in the world.

Sanchi was chosen by the great Mauryan emperor Ashoka to propagate Buddha's learnings. He built a dedicated complex with multiple facilities for people to learn and practice Dhamma. The historical monuments of Sanchi were rediscovered after long being in a state of oblivion, in the 18th century.

Today the renowned Buddhist tourist destination, Sanchi, is a prominent pilgrimage site and a reciter of its own story. Travelers from around the globe visit Sanchi and travel back into the rich history of India where spirituality, art, and history blend perfectly.

The calm atmosphere, accompanied by the green environment, makes it an excellent place for Madhya Pradesh Tourism for people to find solace and spiritualism. Wandering through the heritage sites will reveal the remains of monasteries, temples, and many structures narrating the existence of a once great civilization.

Top Places to Visit in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

• Sanchi Stupa
• Sanchi Archaeological Museum
• The Great Bowl
• Buddhist Vihara
• Gupta Temple
• Buddhist Monasteries

Sanchi Stupa

One of the oldest stone structures of India, built in the 3rd Century BCE, Sanchi Stupa is an emblem of Buddhist architecture, ancient civilization, and their beliefs. Also known as the Great Stupa, this is the major among the surviving structures in the Sanchi Stupa Complex.

Sanchi Stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka, a strong supporter of Buddhism, to house and protect the relics of the Buddha, making it a revered pilgrimage site today. In fact, the Great Stupa is alone the centre of tourism in Sanchi.

Sanchi Stupa is a dome-shaped structure with intricately carved railings and four gateways on its four sides that show the architecture during the Mauryan Empire. As you walk, you can notice the intricately carved patterns, each sculpture unfolds a story from the life of the Buddha, offering a mesmerizing blend of history, art, and religion. Surrounded by lush greenery and perched atop a hill, the stupa exudes a sense of peace, offering both spiritual solace and historical grandness.

Sanchi Stupa is surrounded by many other ancient structures, some half and others mostly shredded to ruin, still showing the prosperous culture more than 2,000 years ago.

Sanchi Archaeological Museum

Just a little downhill from the Great Stupa, lies an important tourist place in Sanchi that will help you more with the place's history - the Archaeological Museum. This place will transport you to a different era. There are many artifacts in the museum that belong to the Mauryan and Gupta periods and help in understanding the Buddhist history of Sanchi. Sculptures, inscriptions, and coins found here depict the history of the civilization that once existed in this place. As you stroll through its corridors, you are taken back to an era where the art, culture, and religion of a people are in perfect harmony. For those who want to plunge into the idea of its archaeological importance, this museum becomes a significant part of Sanchi tourism.

The Great Bowl

The Great Bowl, an artifact that was unearthed in Sanchi, is a symbol of the lost civilization of Buddhism in the area. This large, finely carved stone bowl is thought to have been used for feeding the Buddha and therefore represents the virtues of giving and self-effacing that are the cornerstones of Buddhism. When one stands in front of it, the worn-out stone makes one contemplate on the basics of Buddhism and provides a link to the ancient world. It is a bowl with a very basic shape, but the religious meaning behind this makes it one of the top tourist attractions in Sanchi.

Buddhist Vihara

Sanchi's Buddhist Vihara is an isolated monastic structure that was once home to monks who practiced and preached Buddhism. These are a group of old buildings which are now in a state of decay and give a feeling of reverence; the walls of the buildings seem to tell stories of spirituality and academics. The architecture of the vihara with the courtyards and the meditation cells was intended to facilitate the process of reflection and to enhance the sense of spirituality. As you explore this top tourist destination, the thick air echoes with the stories of the past and offers you a glimpse into the monastic life that flourished here thousands of years ago.

Gupta Temple

The temple of Guptas at Sanchi is a fine example of early Indian temple architecture which is characterized by the elegance and the spiritual significance of the Gupta period. The temple built for the Hindu deities is famous for its beautiful carving and excellent workmanship. When you are at the temple, the artwork on the sculptures of gods and goddesses and other mythological figures draws your attention at first glance. Located amidst the picturesque beauty of Sanchi, the Gupta Temple is a symbol of the religious tolerance that was once prevalent in the area; thus, visiting it is among the best things to do in Sanchi for those who are interested in the religious history of India.

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