I have seen many tour enthusiasts who swear by the adventurous spirit and natural beauty of hill stations. But there are very few who find monuments to be the fountain of joy and adventure. My roommate Shikha is one such soul. An ardent Buddhism lover, she has been to many Buddhist pilgrim centers. And now she had her eyes set on Sanchi, the beautiful pilgrim city in Madhya Pradesh, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known to house the oldest stone structure in India i.e. the Great Sanchi Stupa. When it was time for her next Buddhist conquest, she asked if I would like to accompany her and being an ardent traveler, I obliged without knowing what lay in store for me.

Well, a lot was to be explored and I am truly grateful to her for having made me visit such a wonderful place. Full of information and spirituality, the enlightening tour is still alive in my mind and more so because of our amazing home stay. Our hosts treated us like their own guests and it never felt as though we were strangers. The trip to Sanchi was meeting with the old ancestors, who were waiting with a deep longing in their hearts, to enlighten their progenies and introduce them to the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The Sanchi Stupa

Standing on a hill, the Stupa was built by the great emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. It bears testimony to the penance of the king who embraced Buddhism along with his wife and son, and thousands of people at this historical spot. The domed edifice stands majestically with four gateways that depict the life of the founder of Buddhism. Home to religious relics, it transports you centuries back in fraction of a minute and you can hear the reverberating chant of the monks, meditating and meandering into the folds of enlightenment.

The Ashoka Pillar

A shining symbol of the Greco Buddhist style architecture, the pillar is a bit dilapidated but its sacred aura still glows. Similar to the pillar at Sarnath, the four lions standing back to back do not have the Dhramchakra on the base but the statue is a powerful reminder to uphold dharma. Representing the national emblem, it ignites and inspires in great measure.

Archaeological Museum

This museum possesses many Buddhist statues, paintings and photos. The collection of sculptures from Ashoka Pillar 10 forms the center piece and there is also Sir John Marshall’s bungalow, located nearby, who played a pivotal role in the restoration of Sanchi. Both the places evoke emotions of pride and gratitude. The marvels of the past encourage one to aspire for lofty goals and also advises to stay grounded. 

The Gupta Temple

Situated on the slope of the Sanchi hill, the temple is an architectural wonders from the Golden Age. Time seems to have made them immortal and you can feel both the religious as well as historical fervor here.

Sanchi stole my soul and serenaded my senses. I loved every second here and thanked Shikha thoroughly for having me accompany her in this revelation of the past.