Sanchi - To be in every tourist's must-see

We visited Sanchi - a historical site some 40 kms from Bhopal. I had read about Sanchi from my history texts - that it was the site where the Great Emperor Asoka built the Stupa and a place that thrived as a center of Buddhist learning during his reign. Little did I realize then that I would actually be visiting this place. To say that the monuments were breathtaking would be the understatement of the year. I was thrilled, moved and left with no choice of words to describe what I felt when I saw, touched and felt the monuments that were built sometime between 250 BC and 2 AD. The oldest monument, the Sanchi Stupa, built by Asoka is timed to be around 250 BC. There were other monuments nearby that were built subsequently - even a small temple that is a sign of the wonderful architecture of those times.

Sadly, many of these monuments have been damaged. The sculptures at the entrance have been destroyed by invaders much later during the 10 and 11 century AD. They have deliberately chopped the heads of Buddha and his disciples. It is said that they also destroyed many other temples and monasteries that had been built around this place. What you see in the picture on the left is one of those where The Buddha seems to have escaped the fury of the invaders.

But then, this place is also known for some remarkable architecture and sculpture work all dating back to the period of Asoka up and until the 2nd century AD. The pictures here are proof of the meticulous marvelous work that the artisans have put in for their emperor.

Sanchi is a beautiful and serene location and had attracted pilgrims from across the world and still does. There were people from Srilanka and South-East Asia who were thrilled to visit Sanchi which they consider as one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world. It is said that Asoka's son, Mahendran, and daughter Sanghamitra, began their journey of spreading Buddha's philosophy from here. Sanchi was chosen as the seat of Buddhist learning by Asoka because of its proximity to Vidisha where Asoka's wife hailed from.

The picture below shows the ruins of one of the monasteries where people may have lived during those times. There is a small pool like pond (most probably artificially constructed) right next to the monastery which I assume was where the monks took their bath.

I had goose bumps when I saw these sites - to think that people lived at the very same place 2200 years ago and that I was walking on the same ground that was probably tread by the Great Asoka.