Sanchi Stupa
साँची स्तूप
India's oldest surviving stone Buddhist stupa complex, built by Emperor Ashoka. Its four sandstone gateways are exquisitely carved and form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Sanchi Buddhist complex sits on a hill about 46 km northeast of Bhopal. Its core is the Great Stupa (Stupa 1), begun by Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE and later expanded during the Shunga dynasty. It is about 36 meters in diameter. The most exquisite features are the four sandstone gateways (toranas) carved in the 1st century BCE, covered with Jataka tales, scenes of worship, elephants, lions, and other animals. They are a pinnacle of early Buddhist art. Other attractions on the hilltop include Stupa 3, which is said to hold the relics of Sariputta and Maudgalyayana, a monastery, and the ruins of Temple 17 from the Gupta period. At the foot of the hill, the archaeological museum holds Ashokan pillar lion capitals. Foreign visitors pay about 600 rupees for admission (discounts are available when buying online). The museum charges a small additional fee and is closed on Fridays. It is best to visit in the morning, and the trip can be combined with the Udayagiri Caves and Vidisha on the same day.
Opening hours
Sunrise to sunset
Nearby sights
- Chetiyagiri Vihara
- Sanchi Stupa No. 2
- Sanchi Archaeological Museum
- Udayagiri Caves
- Bijamandal, Vidisha
- Satdhara Stupas
- Heliodorus Pillar
- Maladevi Temple, Gyaraspur