Archaeological
Museum, Sanchi
Like most site museums in India, this one also owes its genesis to an English
general accidentally stumbling upon some ancient ruins around 1818. Eventual
archaeological explorations revealed one of the richest sculptural finds of
Buddhist heritage.
The original stupa was started here by Emperor Ashoka. Successive generations
continued to renovate and embellish the original brick stupa with exquisitely
sculpted stone. This period of superb creativity stretched between 3rd century
Bt and 13th century AD, blending Hindu and Buddhist styles and building a complex
of stupas, temples, monasteries,etc. that remains unparalleled in excellence
of form and beauty of details.
There is a lion capital of an Ashoka pillar here very similar to the one found
at Sarnath, the latter now the emblem of India. Other notable sculpture found
here include statues of the Buddha, several boaisattvas and early Hindu period
statues of Ganesh, Mahishasuramardini among others. The engraved panels are
a celebration of life frozen in stone. They tell the story of the Buddha's life,
his earlier incarnations, of life and times of the royalty, the Hindu and Buddhist
pantheon and commoners in splendid harmony and of all things born in nature.
The eastern gateway to stupa No 1 created in 2nd century BC by the Satavahanas
still stand in almost its original splendour.
Archaeological Museum, Sanchi
Timing: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Open on all days.
Interested
? Book Tour through our Members
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Madhya Pradesh Musuems » State
Museum, Bhopal » Central Museum, Bhopal
» Birla Museum, Bhopal » Bharat
Bhavan, Bhopal » H H Maharaja Jiwaji
Rao Scindia Museum, Gwalior » Archaeological
Museum, Gwalior » Central Museum, Indore
» Archeological Museum, Sanchi »
Archaeological Museum, Khajuraho
