* The Stupa at Sanchi is one the most wonderful structures of ancient India.

* It has been included by the UNESCO as one of the heritage sites of the world.

* The Sanchi Stupa is a fine example of the development of the Buddhist architecture and sculpture beginning from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D.

* Stupas are large hemispherical domes, containing a central chamber, in which the relics of the Buddha were placed.

* Emperor Asoka (273-236 B.C.) built stupas in Buddha's honour at many places in India.

* The site of Sanchi was discovered in the year 1818 by General Taylor and an archaeological museum was established in 1919 by Sir John Marshall.

* The Sanchi Stupa is one of the best preserved early stupas in central India.

* The Sanchi Stupa is surrounded by a railing with four carved gateways facing all the four directions.

* Another interesting characteristic about the Sanchi Stupa is that Lord Buddha has been symbolically represented by footprints, wheels, thrones etc rather than by his own image.

* The gateways of Sanchi stupas contain ornamented depiction of incidents from the life of the Buddha and his previous incarnations as Bodhisattvas described in the Jataka tales.

* The Buddha has been shown symbolically in the form of tree or through other inanimate figures.

Picture: Swagat_rath@Flickr

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Know Your Destination