Sanchi Stupa
| Sanchi | |
|---|---|
The Great Stupa at Sanchi
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| General information | |
| Type | Stupa and surrounding buildings |
| Architectural style | Buddhist |
| Location | Sanchi Town, Madhya Pradesh, India india asia |
| Construction started | 3rd century BCE |
| Height | 12.2816.46 m (54.0 ft) (dome of the Great Stupa) |
| Dimensions | |
| Diameter | 32.3236.6 m (120 ft) (dome of the Great Stupa) |
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UNESCO World Heritage Site
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi |
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| Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List | |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | (i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vi) |
| Reference | 524 |
| UNESCO region | Asia-Pacific |
| Coordinates | 23°28′46″N 77°44′23″E / 23.47941°N 77.739616°ECoordinates: 23°28′46″N 77°44′23″E / 23.47941°N 77.739616°E |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1989 (13th Session) |
 Location of Sanchi in India#India Madhya Pradesh.
 Location of Sanchi in India#India Madhya Pradesh.
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Sanchi(सांची) the Buddhist complex, famous for its Great Stupa, is located on a hilltop at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is 46 km north-east of Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh.
The Great Stupa at Sanchi is the oldest stone structure in India and was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chatra, a parasol-like structure symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter the relics. The original construction work of this stupa was overseen by Ashoka, whose wife Devi was the daughter of a merchant of nearby Vidisha. Sanchi was also her birthplace as well as the venue of her and Ashoka's wedding. In the 1st century BCE, four elaborately carved toranas (ornamental gateways) and a balustrade encircling the entire structure were added. The sanchi stupa built during Mauryan period was made of bricks. The complex flourished until the 11th century.
Sanchi is the center of a region with a number of stupas including Satdhara (17 KM from Sanchi, 40 stupas, the Relics of Sariputra and Mahamoggallana, now enshrined in the new Vihara, were unearthed there), Morel Khurd (on a fortified hilltop with 60 stupas), Andher (17 KM NE of Vidisha), Mawas, Sonari etc all within a few miles of Sanchi.
The 'Great Stupa' at Sanchi is the oldest structure and was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chatra, a parasol-like structure symbolising high rank. The old stupa was later covered when it was expanded under the Shungas.
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Wikipedia