New Delhi: Buddhism originated in India, so it is of little surprise that the country will be filled with several historical monuments which are associated with Lord Buddha and his teachings. Among the most notable of those places, the Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi stands out for its exemplary cultural and heritage value, which has fetched it the tag of UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this article, we will learn more about this place.
What are the Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi?
Located on a hill which is about 40 km from Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, Sanchi has a group of Buddhist monuments which date back to the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. The monuments include monasteries, temples, palaces, and monolithic pillars, and the place is regarded as the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in the world. As a place which holds immense cultural significance, the site at Sanchi, till the 12th century A.D., was a major Buddhist centre in India.
Who made Sanchi a Buddhist place?
It was Emperor Ashoka who turned Sanchi into a sacred Buddhist place. The reign of Ashoka saw a massive prosperity of Buddhism throughout the Indian subcontinent and abroad. He built the Ashoka Pillar in the 3rd century BC, giving Sanchi a unique significance in the pantheon of Buddhism. He also commissioned the construction of the Great Stupa at Sanchi, one of the oldest stone structures in the country. Ashoka oversaw its original construction work. Notably, his wife Devi was the daughter of a merchant of nearby Vidisha. She herself was born in Sanchi and it was there the wedding between Ashoka and Devi took place.
Know about the Great Stupa at Sanchi
The Great Stupa at Sanchi is a simple hemispherical brick structure built over Buddha’s relics and a parasol-like structure shelters it. In the 1st century BCE, the structure had four ornamental gateways and a balustrade encircling the entire structure. The structure of the Stupa was later expanded during the reign of the Sunga dynasty and the Satavahanas dynasty ornamented it further in the 1st century CE. During the Gupta dynasty’s reign, final additions to the Stupa were made in the 5th century CE. Other powerful empires like the Kushana and Kshatrapa expanded Sanchi with the construction of several structures. Today, the Great Stupa is considered one of the brightest examples of Indian architecture.
India has several historical monuments which are associated with Lord Buddha and his teachings. Among the most notable of those places, the Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi stands out. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
