Sāñcī

Ancient religious centre in present-day Madhya Pradesh near the city of Bhopal in central India. It is the site of important architectural remains dating from the 3rd-1st centuries bce. The most famous is the Great Stūpa, the oldest part of which may date from the time of Aśoka and which was enlarged and altered continuously down to the beginning of the Christian era. It is 53 feet high and is approached through one of four large stone gateways (toraṇa) lavishly carved with scenes from the life of the Buddha, animals, plants, and female deities (yakṣī, see yakṣa). There are two other stūpas on the site, the oldest dating from the Śuṇga period (185-72 bce).

Sañci, the Great Stūpa

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