Do you know where lime mortar for cementing was first used in India? Which Garuda pillar was built by a Greek? Discover about India’s antiquity at these sites that can be visited from Sanchi.
Sanchi
The Great Stupa of Sanchi is perhaps one of the Buddhist sites in India that receives the most visitors each year. Emperor Ashoka was the one who gave the order to have it built. Stupas were embellished further by later rulers, and new buildings were constructed in the area around the original one. The ruins, which are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are beautifully situated in the middle of a field that has been manicured with greenery. The month of November sees the celebration of the Chethiyagiri Vihara festival.
The dam on the Halali river, which is located approximately 50 kilometres away from Bhopal and somewhat off the road to Sanchi, is a popular place for picnics. You can take a short detour to explore this dam as well as the adjacent water sports complex that is operated by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department.
Vidisha
It is believed that the lime mortar that was used to hold together the bricks that were used for the foundation of a Vishnu temple was India’s first instance of the usage of cement. Explore the remains at your own leisure, and you will be blown away by the architectural exhibition. Beginning in the sixth century B.C., Vidisha, also known as Besnagar, served as the nation’s capital and was an important commercial hub. At the time, it was under the control of a number of different Indian kingdoms. The Heliodorous Pillar, also known as the Khamba Baba, is another impressive structure that can be found in this area. It is believed that a Greek ambassador named Heliodorous from Taxila constructed the monolithic Garuda pillar that dates back to 140 BC. Learn more about the architectural history of this region by paying a visit to the museum located here. Sanchi is located 10 kilometres distant from Vidisha.
Udaigiri Caves
The rock-cut caverns are evidence of the architectural prowess that existed during the Gupta period and date back to the 4th and 5th century. Cave number 1, with its pillars in the ‘vase and foliage pattern,’ cave number 5, with its carving of Varaha avatar holding up Prithvi, cave number 9, with its large cella, 8-foot high pillars, and portico, the sculpture of a reclining Vishnu, the designed entrances to various caves, etc. are some of the popular attractions that can be found in these caves. It is located 4 kilometres from Vidisha.
Gyaraspur
The remains of two temples that date back to the 9th and 10th centuries, the Athakhambe (eight pillars) and the Choukhambe (four pillars), represent the nuanced expression of India’s mediaeval art. Both temples are named for the number of pillars they contain. The Bajra Math and the Mala Devi Temple are two further important structures to see in the area. Gyaraspur may be found approximately 40 kilometres distant from Sanchi.
Udaypur
You may observe the art and architecture that flourished under the Parmar monarchs of the 11th century in Udaypur, mainly portrayed by the Neelkantheshwara Temple, if you drive ahead from Vidisha to Udaypur, which is located 90 kilometres away from Sanchi. The temple is made of red sandstone and has intricately crafted spires as well as medallions that have been etched onto their surfaces. Bijamandal, Sahi Masjid, and Pisnari-ka-Mandir are just a few of the other prominent monuments in the area.
Contact any of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism offices located around India for information on things like where to stay and how to rent a car. The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Hotels and Resorts organisation manages the hotels and resorts that are available to visitors in Sanchi (MPT Gateway Retrreat) and a few other locations along this circuit.