The Grand Stupa built by Ashoka at Sanchi is focal point of a 91 –meter-high turf covered and tree-dotted hill and marks an important stage in the evolution of Indian architecture. The great Stupa is 36.5 meters in diameter and rises almost 16.5 meters high.A balustrade encircles the entire structure and provides incarnations as Bodhisattva have provided the principal inspiration for the artistes.
The intricately carved gateways hold the greatest fascination for visitors. Gateways, the four ornamented (torans) built at the cardinal points in front of the entrances were erected around 3.5 B.C by the Satvahana ruler, Satkarni. Each torans consists of two upright pillars nearly 34 feet high. The two richly carved pillars, rise to be crowned by carved lions-the famous Ashoka Lions, now the official seal of India –elephants and dwarfs.
The eastern gateway depicts Buddha’s journey towards enlightenment. It shows the young prince Siddhartha Gautama , leaving his father’s Palace and setting off on his journey to enlightenment.
The western gateway depicts the seven incarnation of the Buddha.
The northern gateway, crowned by a wheel of law, illustrates the miracles associated with the Buddha as told in the Jatakas.
The southern gateway is the oldest and reveals the birth of Gautama in series of dramatically rich carvings. It also depicts the wheel of forth, the first sermon given by the Buddha at Sarnath. Ashokan Pillar Just to the right of the southern gateway lie the remains of Ashokan pillar erected by Ashoka in the 3rd century, displaying all the characteristics of such monoliths – exquisite proportion, brilliant polish, succinct instructions. Centuries of exposure to weather has not diminished its metallic glow.
