In a quest to discover the heritage of ‘Hindustan Ka Dil’, we decided to explore ‘Sanchi Stupa’ (a world heritage site by UNESCO) located in the district of Sanchi (48 kms from Bhopal); which was followed by a impromptu visit to ‘Udaygiri Caves’ located in the neighbouring district of Vidisha (13 kms from Sanchi). We also discovered the cottage of Sir James Marshel, the great historian. We started from Bhopal at 12 noon on a Sunday morning and it took us slightly over an hour to reach Sanchi. Udyagiri from Sanchi takes a good 40 mins as the road is full of potholes. Drive to Sanchi is very pleasant as the road is laden with vast green fields and a view of the Satpura range. Good music and good company makes this a perfect road trip. December to February is a good time to visit these places as the weather stays very pleasant adding to the beauty and charm of these ancient wonders.
Frequented by many Indian and foreign tourists, Sanchi is a treat for those interested in cultural history. Sanchi is deemed as one of the most organized structures with the best architectural design dating back to the medieval period. For those not interested in medieval architecture, the calmness and serenity the place offers is a reason enough to pay a visit. Sanchi Stupa is surrounded by a railing with four carved gateways facing all the four directions. The sculptures show scenes integrated with the daily life of Buddha. A careful examination of these sculptures reveals a lot about the life during those times. Depending on one’s interest in history and art, one can spend a good 2-3 hrs at the site. Owing to its status as a world heritage site, the stupa sees an outpour of tourists over the weekend, therefore for those willing to explore the site in intricate detail, weekdays are preferable.
The archeological museum was established by Sir John Marshell after the site was discovered in 1818 by General Taylor. The museum also houses Sir John Marshall’s hut. Sir Marshal was instrumental in restoration of the structures excavated at Sanchi. Constructed in colonial style, the hut stands as a pure historical delight amidst lush green garden and a beautiful view
Udayagiri caves are a tourist site under the protection of ASI. The caves were excavated during Chadragupt II regime. There are some 14 caves in total and one can spend good amount of time discovering sculptures, architecture and inscriptions found in each of these. Depending upon ones interest in history, one can spend a good one hour or even more. Not frequented by many tourists, the place is generally quiet and offers a good getaway from the hustle bustle. For all those historians who love to discover ancient architecture in solitude, the caves are a must visit.
We also spotted the tropic of cancer somewhere midway which left as quite excited. Although we expected to see much more fanfare around rather than just a single board; but it was quite exciting to spot it nevertheless. It was worth a quick photograph :) On our way back, we also spotted an orange orchard with trees laden with oranges and we couldn’t resist ourselves from the urge to grab a few of those yummy looking fruits. One can expect many such treats on the way.
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