Credit: Vishal Gupta
One of the ancient stupas, Sanchi Stupa 2 is located in Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, 500 meters away from the Sanchi Railway station. Those who have an interest in Buddhism and ancient architecture should include this place in your itinerary list.
Oldest Buddhist Stupa in India
Built during the end of the 2nd century to the 1st century BCE, the oldest existing Buddhist stupas are of great historical significance with the earliest decorative reliefs in India. Predating the reliefs at the Mahabodhi temple in bodh gaya and Bharhut it’s the oldest stupa from the shunga period among the three stupas.
Structure and Design of Sanchi Stupa 2
The dimension of Stupa 2 is remarkable and has a diameter of around 14 meters, unlike the other stupas, it has been cut flat on top with no Harmika or Chhatra. During the excavations, four steatite caskets containing the ashes of ten senior priests from the age of Ashoka has been found. Names of the priests were engraved on the caskets. There were no Toranas at the cardinal entrances and structures is enclosed by a low wall(Vedika).
Decorations and Buddhist Themes
The representation of Buddhist life is remarkable, stupa 2 is considered the birthplace of Jataka illustration. The stupa features events from the Buddha namely Nativity, Enlightenment, First Sermon, and Decease. Events of Buddha’s life are remarkably represented in Stupa 2.
Location and Historical Significance
West of the hillside, stupa 2 is positioned because the relics it contained belonged to the time of Ashoka. These dignitaries were considered less important than Bussha himself in Stupa 1 or his disciples in Stupa 3. The historical significance of the Buddhist stupa lies in its age as the oldest existing Buddhist stupa in India. Who helped Scholars understand the evolution of Buddhist art.
Sanchi Stupa 2 Historic Site Timings
If you’re planning to visit Sanchi Stupa 2, it is essential to know the timings of the Sanchi historic site. The site is open from 6.30 AM to 6.30 PM, allowing visitors ample time to explore all the Buddhist monuments and other places of interest in Sanchi.
To reach Sanchi Stupa 2, there are several transportation options available:
By Car:
You can hire a taxi or drive your own car to reach Sanchi Stupa 2. The distance from Bhopal to Sanchi is approximately 50 km, and it takes around 1 hour to reach there by car.
By Train:
The nearest railway station to Sanchi is the Sanchi Railway Station, which is located around 2 km away from the site. You can take a train to Sanchi Railway Station from Bhopal or any other nearby city, and then hire a taxi or take a rickshaw to reach Sanchi Stupa 2.
By Air:
The nearest airport to Sanchi is Raja Bhoj Airport, located in Bhopal, which is approximately 46 km away from the site. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Sanchi.