• Excursion to Sanchi and Vidisha

Excursion to Sanchi and Vidisha

Background: Sanchi is the oldest existing Buddhist sanctuary in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The buildings and ruins at Sanchi range from 3 BCE to 12 CE, spanning almost the entire period when Buddhism flourished in India. Sanchi thus represents an outstanding and unique example of the flowering of Buddhist architecture and art in India. The nearby town of Vidisha was an important trade centre even as early as the 6th century BCE. It has many historic sites ranging from 2nd century BCE to 11th century CE.

In the 3rd century BCE, the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, married Devi, the daughter of a Buddhist merchant from Vidisha. When Ashoka converted to Buddhism, he chose Sanchi (16kms from Vidisha) as the site to build a stupa and erect a monolithic pillar. Sanchi’s growth as a major Buddhist centre was because of the steady patronage from Vidisha’s community of pious rich merchants. After Ashoka, the area came under the rule of several different dynasties, many of whom built temples and monuments in the area. Vidisha remains a multi-cultural area with historical sites of the Brahmanical and Jaina faiths.

About this tour: This is a full day excursion from Bhopal, departing your hotel at 9 am and returning by 5 p.m. We will visit Sanchi in the morning, and after lunch, we will visit Vidisha.

Sanchi: We will visit the Great Stupa, the largest and most well-preserved Buddhist historic monument in India. Our guide will explain the architecture as well as the legends and stories behind the beautiful carvings. We will walk through the complex, also visiting various other structures including temples, monastery ruins and votive stupas. Those interested can also visit the museum at Sanchi (closed Fridays).

Vidisha (Besnagar) is a 30-minute drive from Sanchi. We will visit the following:

  • The Pillar of Heliodorus – a 2nd century BCE Garuda-stambha (pillar found in Vishnu temples), erected by a Greek ambassador
  • The Udaigiri Caves – these are a group of 20 Brahmanical and Jaina Caves, dating to the ‘Golden Age’ of the Gupta Empire (4th to 5th century CE). We will visit the most well-known cave, containing a bas relief of the Hindu god Vishnu, in his avatar as the boar-headed Varaha.
  • If you are interested, you can also visit the Bija Mandal, a Parmara dynasty temple from the 11th century CE, with an even older step-well from 8th century CE. The temple was destroyed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb in the 17th century CE and a mosque built at the top of the ruins.

Starts: 9 am from your hotel

Duration: 8 hours

When: All days of the week (please note, the museum is closed Fridays)

Tour Notes: Please wear comfortable walking shoes. If you are visiting in summer, please ensure you have sun protection.