Sanchi

Sanchi is a scenic and quiet village in Madhya Pradesh in India, which forms a part of the UNESCO heritage listed Buddhist stupa. Dating back to the third century BC, these stupas are the best preserved historical edifices in the country. A famous Buddhist pilgrimage centre, Sanchi attracts tourists of all genres all through the year. The soothing tranquillity of Sanchi has a magical touch more effective than any renowned Buddhist centre. Dotted with a plethora of stupas, temples, monasteries, chaityas and gateways, this little hamlet unearths information on Buddhist culture.

Sanchi Stupas are open to public from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The 'Great Stupa' at Sanchi, which is the oldest stone structure in India, was commissioned by the Great emperor Ashoka. The ornamental gateways and the massive parasol, which shields the relics of Buddha forms the core structure of the stupas. Sanchi’s history revolves round Buddhist culture and monuments, but it would be interesting to know that Lord Buddha never came to Sanchi. Sanchi is surrounded by interesting landscapes.

October-March

Apart from the world famous Sanchi stupas, there are not many places to see in Sanchi. Some of the must see attractions in Sanchi include:

Sanchi has a few restaurants that serve Indian, continental and even Chinese cuisine. Kapil is a budget hotel for vegetarian fares.

Sanchi has many shops that sell post cards and handcrafted statues of Lord Buddha and Sanchi Stupa made from different materials like wood and stone. Check out Alankar Handicrafts for some of the best picks.

Sanchi is just 48 km. from Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh and is well connected with rail, road and air. Sanchi has its own railway station and the railhead of Vidhisha is nearby (around 10 km.). The nearest airport is at Bhopal at the distance of around 53 km.

Other than these, you should not miss visiting the Buddhist Vihara and the four Gateways of Sanchi providing symbolic depictions related to life, death and incarnations and enlightenment, of Lord Buddha.

Sight seeing in Sanchi would ensure an eclectic experience. Even if religious quest is not quite your passion, Sanchi would make an excellent stop over for a serene and quite holiday. Some of the must visit tourist places near Sanchi include the following: Vidisha: Just 10 km. to the south of Sanchi, Vidisha, the home town of the wife of the emperor Ashoka has many tourist attractions. The Heliodoros Pillar, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and built in 5th AD, also marks the conversion of the Greek Ambassador of Taxila to Hinduism. An impressive monolithic column, it is revered by the local fishermen community who refer it as 'Khamb Baba'. Gyaraspur: Located at a distance of 49 km. to the north-east of Sanchi, lies this medieval city of Gyaraspur, which is named after the fair that is held once in 11 years. It has many ancient temples including Mahadev temple and 'Athkhamba' (Eight Pillars), which date back to the 9th and 10th centuries respectively. Udaigiri Caves: An ensemble of 20 caves that are cut into a sandstone hill, Udaigiri caves showcases the grandeur and architectural richness of the Gupta period. Located 13 km. from Sanchi, these Gupta cave shrines were thought to be the abodes of Buddhist monks in 2nd century BC. These caves that are dedicated to both Hinduism and Jainism run in sequence. The first cave of the Rani Gumpha is embellished with beautiful sculpture including animal figurines. Caves 3 and 4 are double-storied and have many paintings mythical creatures that give these caves, a dramatic beauty. Cave 5 has an impressive image of Vishnu in his boar incarnation, while Cave 20 stands out for its fine Jain carvings. Raisen: 23 km. from Sanchi, the town of Raisen, which is nestled at the foot of the hill, gets its name from an impressive fort perched on a sandstone hill. The fort has three palaces, tanks, canons and temples and has been the administrative hub during the Hindu rule. Udaypur: Well known for the impressive Neelkantheswara Temple, which makes an icon of this city, Udaypur is located 85 km. from Sanchi. The temple displays the magnificence of the 11th century Paramara architecture at its best. Carved in red sand stone, this temple stands tall on a lofty platform.