Recently, sacred relics belonging to two of Lord Buddha’s most prominent disciples, Sariputra and Maudgalyayana from Sanchi Stupa are being sent to Mongolia.
About Sanchi Stupa:
It was built by theMauryan emperor Ashoka in the third century BC.
It enshrines religious relics or remains of the Buddha and his most revered disciples.
The development of the Sanchi complex was supported by patronage from Vidisha’s mercantile community.
It was in abject ruins when it was “discovered” by British officer Henry Taylor in 1818.
Later on Alexander Cunningham, led the first formal survey and excavations at Sanchi in 1851.
Structure:
It is enclosed by a massive stone railing pierced by four gateways, which are adorned withelaborate carvings (known as Sanchi sculpture).
The stupa itself consists of a base bearing a hemispherical dome (anda), symbolizing the dome of heaven enclosing the earth.
It is surmounted by a squared rail unit (harmika) representing the world mountain, from which rises a mast (yashti), symbolizing the cosmic axis.
The mast bears umbrellas (chatras) that represent the various heavens (devaloka).
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