{"id":37315,"date":"2016-08-26T17:34:20","date_gmt":"2016-08-26T15:34:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magikindia.com\/?p=37315"},"modified":"2020-04-30T16:49:26","modified_gmt":"2020-04-30T14:49:26","slug":"sanchi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magikindia.com\/en\/sanchi\/","title":{"rendered":"Sanchi, the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in India"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sanchi, a small village 46km northeast of Bhopal, is famous for its splendid group of Buddhist monuments, some of which date back to the 3rd century BCE. It is the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in existence and remained a major centre of Buddhism in India until the 12th century.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
The main stupa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These Buddhist monuments \u2013 stupas, a monolithic pillar, palaces, temples and monasteries in various states of repair \u2013 bear witness to the emergence and development of Buddhist art and architecture across more than 1300 years, from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE. This is almost the entire period of classical Buddhism in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
The interior of the main stupa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The religious site was founded by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka (c. 272-237BCE). First to be built, at the instigation of Ashoka’s wife who came from nearby Vidisha, were the maha stupa<\/em> or large stupa on top of Sanchi Hill, a monastery and a monolithic pillar.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tumulus of the great stupa was encased in masonry under the Satavahana dynasty in the late 1st century BCE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Stupa 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stupas, monasteries and other Buddhist religious buildings continued to be built in Sanchi until the 12th century CE.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the Hindu counter-reformation, the Sanchi monuments were forgotten and deteriorated for lack of maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
One of the magnificent gates of the Sanchi site<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The site was rediscovered in 1818 by General Taylor of the British Army. Treasure hunters and amateur archaeologists then ravaged the area until 1881, when steps were taken to save the site. Between 1912 and 1919 the structures were restored to their current state under British archaeologist Sir John Marshall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are about 50 surviving monuments on Sanchi Hill including three major stupas and several temples and ruins.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sanchi group of Buddhist monuments has been on the UNESCO world heritage list since 1989.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Ruins of temple in the Sanchi site<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

Vous aimerez peut-\u00eatre aussi...<\/h2>
\"\"\"\"<\/span><\/a>
Bhagoria, the spring festival of the Rathwas<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nRecently declared a "cultural heritage" of Madhya Pradesh, Bhagoria is a festival that not only celebrates the arrival of spring...<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"\"\"\"<\/span><\/a>
The intriguing temples of the 64 Yoginis<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nAmong the multitude of Hindu temples that dot India those of the 64 yoginis (Chausath Yogini), which you can count...<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"\"\"\"<\/span><\/a>
Orchha, the city of the Bundela kings<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nWhat's astonishing at Orchha is that such a small town, nestling peacefully beside the river Betwa, should have so many...<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"\"\"\"<\/span><\/a>
Chitrakoot, the city of wonders of Sitaram<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nPeople don't come by chance to this 'city of wonders\u2019. Chitrakoot is a busy, buzzing pilgrimage town vibrating to the...<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"\"\"\"<\/span><\/a>
Gwalior, once the pearl of the Mughal...<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nGwalior, the fourth largest town in the State of Madhya Pradesh, owes its fame to the fort, perched atop a...<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"\"\"\"<\/span><\/a>
Khajuraho, the splendid temples of love<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nKhajuraho, a small village in Madhya Pradesh, is reputed for its sumptuous temples, built under the Chandela dynasty and listed...<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>