9 famous Sanchi tourist places

Sanchi tourist places; Sanchi is a Nagar panchayat in Raisen Distric state of Madhya Pradesh, Sanchi is situated around 46km from Bhopal and is famous for ancient monument which was created by King Ashoka. It is amoung 84,000 stupa and It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sanchi Stupa was declared a World Heritage Site in 1989 by UNESCO. The construction of stupas at Sanchi continued from the third BCE to the twelfth century. Sanchi was known by the names Kakanay, Bedisagiri, Chatyagiri etc. Located on a hill in Sanchi, it is a complex where chaityas, viharas, stupas and temples can be seen. It is surprising that some of the oldest temples in India are here. Sanchi Stupa visiting hours may effect on public and national holidays. There is some reason behind this, in which one reason was Emperor Ashoka’s wife Mahadevi from Sanchi and according to his wish, these stupas were built in Sanchi. One reason may be that Vidisha was a prosperous and trading town in the Mauryan period and that the place near it was favorable for the practice of Buddhist monks. The most well-known fact of all is that after the terrible attack of Kalinga war, Ashok never decided to go to war. In this war Ashoka accepted Buddhism. He built stupas all over India, of which Sanchi was also one. Stupa number is the largest stupa in Sanchi Stupa. This stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka. The shape of this stupa is like an inverted bowl. There are three parasols on its peak which shows greatness. This stupa was built in honor of Gautam Buddha. The kings of the Sunga dynasty did the work of laying stone layer and railings in this stupa, which attracts tourists a lot. There are four gates in this stupa, which were built by the Satavahana kings. The stories of the Jataka and Alabesantar are depicted at these gates in details for visitors guidance. In the east direction of this stupa, the stupa number is three which is very simple. There are altogether 40 small stupas in Sanchi.

9 famous Sanchi tourist places


The Great Bowl Sanchi tourist places

The Great Bowl is situated in Sanchi and is considered as one of the most excellent tourist attractions of Madhya Pradesh. The place is considered as a cradle of Buddhist renaissance as the name of the place was mentioned in several Buddhist documents and scripts. There is a huge area of magnificent monuments in Sanchi and these monuments reflect the spiritual customs of the past. Sanchi has a flock of wonderful, artistic and grand monuments and the best of these is definitely the Great Bowl. The Great Bowl is one of the most precious relics and was used for storage of food items. Food was served to Buddhist monks from this bowl. The Great Bowl is made of a very large stone and is the most outstanding example of the Buddhist period. One of the amazing artistic grandeurs is captured in the bunch of monuments and the best among them is definitely the Great Bowl. The Great Bowl is one of the most precious relics and was the storehouse for food. Foods were distributed amongst the monks from this bowl. The Great Bowl was made from a massive stone block and is considered as one of the finest examples of the Buddhist era.

Ashok Pillar Sanchi tourist places

Ashok Pillar Sanchi tourist places
 Photo by Suyash Dwivedi CC By- SA 4.0

The Ashoka pillar is located at Chanderi, Ashoka Nagar district in Sanchi of Madhya Pradesh, can be seen near the main Stupa. The top of the pillar with the Ashokan emblem of four lions is in the ASI museum in the complex. The shaft of the pillar can be seen at the entrances but the crown is kept in the museum. The architecture of Ashoka Pillar is of Greco-Buddhist style. There is no doubt that this pillar is well shaken in nature. This Ashoka pillar of Sanchi bears much resemblance to the pillar at Sarnath. This pillar is very well equipped. Like the pillar of Sarnath, this pillar of Sanchi does not have a Dharmachakra. The remarkable feature is that the external shine of the pillar still remains the same. This will make you feel so historic, the pillar is a proof of the wonderful art and carving in stone. Must do visit here for beautiful architecture.

Eastern Gateway Sanchi tourist places

Eastern Gateway Sanchi tourist places
 Photo by Biswarup Ganguly CC By- 3.0

Eastern Gateway is located on a hilltop at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the State of Madhya Pradesh, India. The Eastern Gate to the Stupa No. 1 at Sanchi has two sets of four elephants supporting the top part of the torana. The upper portion of the East Gate, shown here, represents the 7 Manushi Buddha’s, Right behind it is large spherical dome, Entire history of lord Buddha has been engraved on this gates .The carvings as with other gates are masterpieces in their own right depicting episodes from Lord Buddha’s life and Emperor Ashoka’s visit to the Bodhi tree. Truly a beautiful work of art do visit here all gate ways are amazing from its own historic ethics.

Southern Gateway Sanchi tourist places

Southern Gateway Sanchi tourist places
 Photo by Dharma CC By- 2.0

Southern Gateway is located on a hilltop at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the State of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is located in 46 km north-east of Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh. The Southern Gateway was the main entrance for the Great Stupa indicated by the Ashoka Pillar near it. It was a practice in those times to erect Pillar before Stupa came up. This is the only Gateway at Sanchi where four lions are seated back to back supporting the main pillars. It is beautiful work of art do visit here all gate ways are amazing from its own historic ethics.

Northern Gateway Sanchi tourist places

Northern Gateway Sanchi tourist places
Photo by Biswarup Ganguly CC By- 3.0

Northern Gateway is located on a hilltop at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the State of Madhya Pradesh, India. This Northern Gateway is characterized by a wheel of law because it describes the miracles related to the life of Buddha. One will see the two square posts crowned with four elephants and two female shalabhanjika figures grasping the branch of a tree on the northern gateway. One will wonder to view the majestic wheel of law as a crown to the gate. But the wheel is broken (may to depict the present day position of damaged wheel of law). It is good to observe that this northern gate is well preserved by the authorities. It is attractive to note that this gate is supported by elephants facing four directions. It is a beautiful work of art do visit here all gate ways are amazing from its own historic ethics. The gaps found there in are packed by horses and elephant’s sculptures are really amazing. 

Western Gateway Sanchi tourist places

Western Gateway Sanchi tourist places
Photo by Biswarup Ganguly CC By- 3.0

Western Gateway is located on a hilltop at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the State of Madhya Pradesh near Bhopal, India. As from Southern Gateway there is a passage to climb the Stupa, can take this opportunity and in the process we saw the Western Gateway from inside first. This architecture clearly explains about human life stress and pressure. It is a beautiful work of art do visit here all gate ways are amazing from its own historic ethics. If you understand the creativity brings awareness about todays urbanised life, must visit this place to come out of stress. 

Stupa 3 Sanchi tourist places

Stupa 3 Sanchi tourist places
Photo by Ashutosh shukla CC By- SA 4.0

The stupa 3 is part of the historic Sanchi stupas and is located next to Stupa 1 in Raisen District of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. This is the World Heritage site. There are temples and monuments scattered across Sanchi, which are said to be of 3rd century BC. It is a striking structure of Buddhist as and Mauryan arts. The Stupa contained a relic box with four small caskets of steatite inside, containing human bones. An inscription in early Brahmi was found on the relic box, mentioning that it contained “the relics of all teachers, including Kasapagota and Vachi-Suvijayita”. The Stupas are really rich with Indians heritage holds the beauty and amazing talent of our countries contribution. The devise of, stupa number 1 and 3 are similar. If you keenly observe these three stupas you will find that all of them bear certain extraordinary symbols of royal importance and the semi-circular dome carries an umbrella signifying royal and greatly religious in nature. This umbrella bears an elegant appeal due to polish. Inside stupa 3 we see the bits and pieces of Sariputta and Mahamogallena, who were said to be the two earliest disciples of Lord Buddha. The gate way is magnificent that might have built in first century. There are five precious jewels in the casket namely garnet, pearl, crystal, lapis and amethyst. The four gateways are positioned in line with the four cardinal points.

Stupa 2 Sanchi tourist places

Stupa 2 Sanchi tourist places
Photo by Vincentmeston123 CC By- SA 4.0

The Stupa 2 is seen on the hillside at about 320m downward to the west of the Great Stupa. It was of the 2nd century B.C. It appears as the oldest of the three Stupas. Sanchi Stupa No.2 has been the similarity of its architectural motifs with those of Heliodorus pillar, Stupa 2 looks like stupa 3 in shape and size except gateway. This stupa is placed on an artificial podium beneath all the other stupas. There is no gateway as we come across in other stupas except its stone fencing. We are able to notice intricate and exquisite carvings and past time decorations on these circumvent. The Museum is open from morning 9:00 am to evening 5:00 pm every day except Fridays. Entrance fee is Rs.10 per person for Indians and SAARC Nationals. Rs. 250 per person from other countries. Parking charges should pay extra, good space is available. 

Chetiyagiri Vihar Sanchi tourist places

Chetiyagiri Vihar Sanchi tourist places
Photo by Bernard Gagnon CC By- SA 3.0

Chetiyagiri Vihara is located at World heritage site of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh, India. Best place ever visited ever seen lies in amazing nature, can feel the weather will make blissful, architecture are well designed with good facilities for visitors and the view of placed is awesome, literally everything is eye catching. Beautiful place with lots of historic monuments of our ancient heritage gives pleasure, on top of that scenic beauty of nature is pleasant and lovely. A good place for the peace of mind. The paintings in the temple are beautiful and colourful. For a temple it’s a must visit it’s quite peaceful to be hear and the evening chant’s will make your life simpler. Visited during rainy season and it will be awesome experience.

How to reach Sanchi

Sanchi By Air: 

Bhopal’s airport(BHO) is the nearest Airport, which is located 49 km away from Bhopal. From Airport one can Book Taxi, Share Taxi, vehicle from there to reach Hotel.

Sanchi By Train: 

Bhopal Junction railway station (BPL)]-46km ,Vidisha(BHS)-10 km is well conected to other major city. Once can reach desire location or Hotel throught Cab, Private Taxi.

Sanchi By Bus: 

Bhopal Bus Stand is 5 km away from City and is well connected to most cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Agra by Volvo, Deluxe, semi-deluxe buses. One can book online and Offline both. Sanchi is well connected to Bhopal by frequent bus services. However, buses tend to get crowded at times. Private taxis are a convenient mode from Bhopal

Sanchi Self Drive:  

Car is the best option as you can explore more and as their own choice.

Where to stay in Sanchi

Sanchi is a small town so here accommodation facilities are very limited. Most of the tourists, prefers to stay at Bhopal hotels, It cost under 1000-2000/- Per Night, depends on Pick and Off seasons. One can book tourist cab too.

Best Time To Visit Sanchi

Sanchi is visited by tourist throughtout the year, However Winter and Summer season is the peak season October to April are best months to visit Sanchi. And is best to enjoy the sights and indulge in adventure activities.

Sanchi Travel Guide

Book your hotel near Bhopal Railway Station is the best place to roam Sanchi. From their you can book Taxi also. It is cost under 3000-4000 /-. Once you reach in Hotel, take rest, get freshup, take break-fast and head towards local sightseeing. Ask you Hotel owner if they arrange Car, because many hotels having their own travel facility else You can hire the independent cabs near the Railway station or you can book one tourist van from the tour agency’s offices that line up the entire Road of  Bhopal. It is one of the best way to roam in Sanchi.

Sanchi Itinerary

Sanchi tourist places day 1

One Day Sight Seeing

  • Sanchi Stupa
  • The Great Bowl
  • Ashok Pillar
  • Eastern Gateway
  • Southern Gateway
  • Northern Gateway
  • Western Gateway
  • Stupa 3
  • Stupa 2
  • Chetiyagiri Vihara
Sanchi tourist places day 1

Sanchi Travel Cost For 1 Couple for 1 Night & 2 Days.

  • Food-2 Days                        : 1000/-          
  • Travel By Car- 1 Days        : 3000/-
  • Hotel-1 Days                        : 2000/-          
  • Other Activity                      : 500/-


Total cost around 4500 /-Rs for One Couple for 1 Night & 2 Days. You Can Negotiate and plan your own trip as per Distance, Enjoyment, Food, Transport and stay.
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