The stupa at Sanchi

Have you ever wondered about the story behind the famous Sanchi Stupa? It begins with the war of Kalinga, in which a lot of people died. Ashoka, the king of Kalinga was saddened by the great loss to human life. This event changed his outlook towards life and he started searching for answers. One day he came across the teachings of Buddhism and it showed him the way to inner peace. From there on, he made it his life’s mission to spread the teachings of Buddhism. He created many universities and religious buildings and one of them is the Stupa at Sanchi, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The stupa is dome-shaped and signifies the inverted begging bowl of Buddha. Sanchi Stupa was built in the 3rd century and it was discovered 200 years ago by a Britisher. It is made of stones. First, the railings were made of wood, but to ensure longevity, these were replaced with stone replicas. Each division of the pillars of the Stupa depicts the stories from Buddha’s life. In fact, the reason behind the Stupa to be built in Sanchi is because Ashoka’s wife’s hometown was Sanchi. It was she who asked Ashoka to lay the foundation of this important building there.

One amazing fact about the construction of Sanchi Stupa is that it was completed over the rule of 3 dynasties — the Mauryas, the Sungas, and the Sadbhavas. This is evident in various styles used in the stonework.

The Sanchi stupa is a beautiful example of Buddhist architecture and reminds us of the rich cultural evolution which India has gone through over thousands of years. We recommend a visit to this landmark architectural complex at least once in your lifetime because you can truly experience its grandeur only when it is right in front of you.

Team members: Akshita, Kashvi and Ragni (The Shriram Millennium School, Noida).

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