Archaeological Museum

Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh

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This fine museum has a small collection of sculptures from the site. The centrepiece is the 3rd-century-BC lions-on-lotus capital from the Ashoka-era Pillar 10. Other highlights include a yakshi (mythical fairylike being) hanging from a mango tree, and beautifully serene Buddha figures in red sandstone. There are also some interesting photos showing the site pre-restoration. Admission is included with a ticket for the monuments compound.

Next door is the preserved Gothic-style ‘bungalow’ of Sir John Marshall, the director of the Archaeological Survey of India who led the excavation and restoration of Sanchi from 1912 to 1919.

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  • An artist from the Kathakali School Society of Thrissur prepares backstage for his performance in a programme organised by Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum in Bhopal on June 18, 2018. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)

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Nearby Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh attractions

1. Sir John Marshall Memorial

0.06 MILES

The preserved Gothic-style 'bungalow' of Sir John Marshall, director of the Archaeological Survey of India, who led the excavation and restoration of…

2. Gate

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Entrance gate on the road to the Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi.

3. Chetiyagiri Vihara

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The vihara (literally 'resting place'), just outside the monuments compound, was built to house relics of the Buddha's disciples Sariputta and Moggallana,…

4. Buddhist Monuments

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Emperor Ashoka's 3rd-century BC Great Stupa, and many other stupas, temples, pillars, gateways and monasteries built in succeeding centuries, stand at the…

5. Stupa 4

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The 2nd-century BC Stupa 4 stands behind Stupa 3, but only its base is left.

6. Stupa 3

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Stupa 3 is northeast of the Great Stupa and similar in design, though smaller, with a single, rather fine gateway. It dates from the 2nd century BC and…

7. Temple 31

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The rectangular Temple 31 was built in the 6th or 7th century, but reconstructed during the 10th or 11th century. It contains a well-executed image of…

8. Stupa 2

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Stupa 2 is halfway down the hill to the west (turn right at Stupa 1). Instead of gateways, ‘medallions’ of flowers, plants, real and fanciful animals,…