Origin from 300 BCE
The Great Stupa of Sanchi, in Madhya Pradesh, India, is the oldest and best preserved stone stupa on the Indian subcontinent, and the type site against which every later stupa's own harmika and torana are measured. Its dome is crowned by a harmika, the square railing at the summit enclosing the axis at the centre of the stupa's cosmological plan, and its surrounding railing is pierced by four elaborately carved gateway toranas, the best known early examples of the form, carved with narrative scenes from the Buddha's previous lives without ever showing the Buddha himself in human form. Sanchi is read as key evidence for the aniconic phase of early Buddhist art, in which the Buddha's presence was signalled by symbols such as the wheel, the tree and the empty seat rather than by a human figure.
Facts
Geography
LatitudeApproximate reference point, rounded to one decimal place; this marks the site's general location for a map, not a survey-grade or precise boundary measurement. LongitudeApproximate reference point, rounded to one decimal place; this marks the site's general location for a map, not a survey-grade or precise boundary measurement. Site
Type of Site Type of Site DetailBuddhist stupa complex commissioned by the emperor Ashoka, among the oldest surviving stone structures in India. 2 PilgrimageMajor pilgrimage destination today 3 Origins
Origin Period Status
Status TodayStanding, but maintained as a museum or heritage monument 1 UNESCO World HeritageInscribed on the World Heritage List 4 Location
Connections
Associated With
Source The Symbolism of the StupaAdrian Snodgrass
Source The Symbolism of the StupaAdrian Snodgrass
Belongs to Tradition
Source The Symbolism of the StupaAdrian Snodgrass
Contained In
Its own text: "in Madhya Pradesh, India."
Source The Symbolism of the StupaAdrian Snodgrass
Originated In
India, Regions Source The Symbolism of the StupaAdrian Snodgrass
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Located In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is located.
Sources
1. The Symbolism of the Stupa
Adrian Snodgrass, Cornell University Southeast Asia Program (Studies on Southeast Asia), 1985Originated In: India, Stored country property on this entity, cited to this source: India
2. Encyclopaedia Britannica (online academic reference)
Encyclopaedia Britannica editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., 2024View the Source 3. Wikipedia: Sanchi Stupa
Wikipedia categoryQuote, Wikipedia category
Category: Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India
4. UNESCO World Heritage List
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO World Heritage CentreView the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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