Credit: Tâm Bình An
Overview and History
As the Buddhist community flourished around Sanchi, new settlements of worshippers appeared in the region. Although these settlements had a physical and spiritual link to Sanchi, they also built their stupas and monasteries. There are four groups of stupas surrounding Sanchi within a radius of 20 km – Bhojpur and Andher to the southeast, Sonari to the southwest, and Satdhara to the west. Further south, about 100 kilometers away, is Saru Maru.
There are eight stupas spread across 28 acres of land on the banks of the Halali River. The main stupa is almost as large as the Great Stupa of Sanchi and would have also been built during Emperor Ashoka’s reign. The main stupa of the site is similar to that of Sanchi, having remains of railings. It is 13.65 m high, excluding the platform, with a diameter of 32.80 m. Recent excavations have revealed the brick Pradakshinapatha and the staircase of the stupa.
There are some ruins near the stupa comprising a monastery and temple remains that are collectively called Siddhi ka Makaan, which is indicative of Satdhara’s most enlightened monks once having lived there.