Visiting a 3rd Century BC Buddhist Stupa

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Flag of India  , Madhya Pradesh,
Sunday, January 9, 2011

Emperor Asoka (273-236 BC), known as a philosopher-king of the Mauryan Empire, adopted Buddhism in 262 BC, declaring it the state religion over the previous ruling Hindu religion.  The Mauryan empire spanned much of North India, and my guidebook argued that Ashoka adopted Buddhism and built the great Stupa at Sanchi as penance for  the "horrors he had inflicted on Kalinga in the present-day Orissa."  

Regardless of his motivations, Ashoka's support for the spread of Buddhism resulted in the construction of massive stupas, such as the early stupa at Sanchi, and other forms of sculpture and art.  Ashoka's legacy is a sculpture of four lions sitting on an abacus with Buddha's wheel of knowledge on their heads, the whole of which is mounted on the top of a tall solid pillar with the inscription "truth alone triumphs".  

The Stupas were enlarged and gateways constructed after Ashoka's reign, and many monasteries and a few shrines were built around the site during the 7th-12th century.  The site was abandoned from the 14th century, as Buddhism was absorbed by Hinduism.  Rediscovered in 1818 by British army officers, proper restoration of the site didn't take place until 1881-1919.  The restoration of the gateways and ballustrades with all their fantastic carvings, in addition to the main stupa, make this is a beautiful site to visit.
Sanchi hotels Slideshow

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