General Information / History
Sanchi is a serene hill crowned by a group of stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from 3rd Century BC to the 12th Century AD. The glory that was Sanchi, an ancient seat of Buddhist learning and place of pilgrimage, can still be experienced in its complex structures where many Buddhist legends found expression in the rich sculpture.

Sightseeing

Ashoka Pillar
With its four lion head stump, erected during the 3rd Century BC, is situated close to the Southern Gateway of the Great Stupa. Though, similarly to the intricately carved pillar in Sarnath, the lions did not support a "Wheel of Law" (Dharmachakra). A unique feature of this pillar is its brilliant polish.

Gupta Temple
Built in the 4th Century AD, it is in ruins now. It is one of the earlist known example of temple architecture in India. It consists of a simple flat roofed chamber with a pillared porch in front.

Great Bowl
Carved out of one block of stone, contained food that was distributed amongst the monks of Sanchi.
Stupa No 2: Dating back to the 2nd Cenury BC, it stands at the very edge of the hill and its most striking feature is the stone balustrade that surrounds it.
Stupa No 3: Situated northeast of the great stupa is where the relics of Sariputra and Mahamogalana, the two famous disciples of the Buddha were found in its inner most chambers. The hemispherical dome is crowned, as a mark of its special religious significance, with an umbrella of polished stone. It has only one gateway. This structure belongs to the period between 150-140 BC.

Excursions: Vidisha, Udaygiri Caves, Gyraspur, Udaypur.