oldest stupa, located in madhya pradesh

2. 1000 BCE
2000 AD
____ 14th century AD - BOUDHNATH STUPA
____5th century AD - CHAUKHANDI STUPA ( Sarnath stupa)
____ 4th century ( 200- 750 AD ) - KESARIYA STUPA
____ 2nd century BCE - DHARMARAJKA STUPA( sarnath )
____ 2nd century BCE - MAHABODHI TEMPLE
____ 3rd century BCE - SANCHI STUPA
____ 5th century BCE - DHAMEKH STUPA ( Sarnath stupa )

3. BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE
SANCHI STUPA
PRESENTE BY: KAVISHA PATEL
DHVANI RAGHVANI
HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE
SEM: 3
DIV.: B
L.J.SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
L.J. UNIVERSITY,AHMEDABAD

4. • Stupa is a mound like or hemispherical structure
containing relics, that is used as a place of
meditation.
• It is dirt burial mound faced with stone
• 5 types of stupa:
1. The relic stupa: containing
the remains belonged to the Buddha and his
disciples
2. The object stupa: containing
objects belonged to the Buddha or his disciples
3. The commemorative stupa: marking
an event in the Buddha’s life
4. The symbolic stupa:
representing aspects of Buddhist teachings
5. The votive stupa: erected to
make a dedication or to accumulate merit.
STUPA:

5. EVOLUTION OF STUPA:
 MAURYAN:
o 3rd century BCE,
o Schist and plaster
 INDO - GREEK:
o 2nd century BCE,
o Schist and plaster, Niches for
figured panels or relief work
 INDO – GREEK:
o 2nd century BCE,
o Schist and plaster
 LATE INDO GREEK/ INDO SCYTHIAN:
o END OF 1ST Century BCE,
o Soapstone and plaster
 KUSHAN:
o 2nd century BCE,
o Soapstone and plaster

6. LOCATION: Sanchi is located 60km north east of Bhopal

7. INTRODUCATION:
• GREAT STUPA,
• The most noteworthy of the structures at the historical
site of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh, India
• One of oldest Buddhist monuments in the country
• Largest stupa at the site
• Originally built in the 3rd century BCE, by Mouryan
emperor ASHOKA.
• It was damaged at some point during 2nd century, BCE.
• Later repaired, enlarged elements were added, and
reached to final form in the 1st century, BCE
• Enlarged during local sandstone during the Sunga
period, which begun about 50 years after ashoka’s
death.

8. SANCHI STUPA:
• Different sections of the
stupa have various
symbolic meanings
• Basic shape come to
represent the seated
Buddha when he
achieved
enlightenment.
• The square base: Buddha’s crossed legs as he set on the earth
• Middle section: hemisphere or mound: Buddha’s body
• The conical spire at top: Buddha’s head
• Many wooden pole within stupa: Buddha’s spine or central channel(avadhuti)

9. SITE :
• Location of several Buddhist monuments, dating the 3rd century BCE TO
the 12th century BCE
• Sanchi stupa is located on sanchi hill, 100 m high above the pain

10. PLAN AND SECTION:
• 37 m. (12o ft.) Width & 17 M. (54 ft.) Height
• Circular plan
• Central structure consists of a hemisphere dome on a
base, with a relic chamber deep within.
• A stone paved processional path at the ground level is
enclosed by a balustrade is accessed through the 4
gateways
• 2nd higher terrace, enclosed by railing, approached by
double staircase,
• 4 gateways in 4 directions
• Original stupa had wooden railing , Later replaced by
stone railings.

11. Parts of sanchi stupa:

12. Parts :
 YASHTI:
o A central pillar :
o represent: the world mountain
o Symbolizes: the cosmic axis
o Supports a triple umbrella structure
 CHATRA:
o A triple umbrella
oRepresent: 3 jewels of Buddhism
● The Buddha0
● The dharma ( doctrine)
● The sangha ( community )
 MEDHI:
o Circular terrace
o Enclosed by railing,
o Surrounded dome,
o Faithful are to circumambulation in a clockwise direction
 VEDIKA:
o A low wall
o The entire structure enclosed by
o Punctured t a 4 coordinal points by gateways
 Harmika:
o Square railings
o On the dome
o Encloses chhatra

13.  TORANAS:
o THE FOUR gateways
o 2 square posts
o Topped by capital, Sculptured animals and dwarfs
o Surmounted by 3 architraves
o All the elements depicting the events of Buddha's life
o JATAKA stories( about Buddha’s previous life)
o Scenes of early Buddhism,
o Auspicious symbols,
o Name of donors
o Most notable one being the ivory workers of vidisha

14. Ground level path
Staircase
Gateway
Upper level pradakshina path
Upper ambulatory
1.8m wide 3.35 m high
Lower ambulatory
3.35 m high
Stone vedika
45 cm dia
60-90 cm c/c

15. Views:
Stupa 2

16. Thank you