Buddhist Circuit in MP

Sanchi - Sanchi is a Buddhist complex famous for its Great Stupa on a hilltop at Sanchi town in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in 46 kms north-east of Bhopal. It was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of Buddha.

Great Stupa No 1 - During the later rule of the Shunga, the stupa was expanded with stone slabs to almost twice its original size.

Great Stupa No 2 & 3 - The stupas which seem to have been commissioned during the rule of the Shungas are the second and then the third stupas. The relics of Sariputra and Mahamoggallana, disciples of Buddha are said to have been placed in Stupa No 3.

Sanctioned components at Sanchi– Development of Marshall House, Light & Sound Show, etc.

Satdhara & Sonari Stupas - Satdh ra, around 14 km from Sanchi, has around 20 stupas, many of which had been reconstructed. The stupas here were the site for the relics of Ven Sariputra and Mahamogggallana, which are now in the Mah bodhi temple at Sanchi; and the area around here is also associated with one of the Buddha's great disciples, Ven. Mah kacc yana who lived in the Avanti area.

Sonari - It is the archaeological site of an ancient monastic complex of Buddhist stupas. The site, positioned on a hill, is located about 10 km southwest of Sanchi. The stupas were excavated around 1850 by Alexander Cunningham who discovered two boxes containing relics.

Gyaraspur and Murelkhurd - Gyaraspur is a small town of great historical importance, medieval period in Madhya Pradesh. This comes under Vidisha district and is 35 km away from Vidisha. The name is derived from a fair held during the eleventh month of the Hindu calendar. This is a small town and all the monuments can be visited walking around.

Murelkhurd - There are 37 stupas at Bhojpur (Pipalia) near Murelkhurd on the top of hill.

Sanctioned components at Satdhara, Sonari, Murelhurd & Gyaraspur-Development of last mile connectivity, meditation centre and premises development.

Dev Kuthar (Rewa) - Deorkothar/Deur Kothar is known for its Buddhist stupas and was discovered in 1982. These stupas are credited to the Mauryan emperor, Ashoka.

Bharhut (Satna) : Bharhut, a village located in Satna district, is known for its famous relics from a Buddhist stupa.

Sanctioned components at Rewa and Satna - Interpretation centre cum meditation hall, tourist reception centre, development and

Dharmrajeshwar (Mandsaur) - Dharmrajeshwar is an ancient Buddhist and Hindu cave temple site of 4th-5th century in Mandsaur district. It is an example of Indian rock- cut architecture, situated in Garoth tehsil of Mandsaur district at a distance of 4 km from Chandwasa town and 106 km from Mandsaur city.

Sanctioned components at Mandsaur (Dharmrajeshwar) – Interpretation centre cum meditation hall, Approach road, premises development

Bagh Caves (Dhar) - The Bagh Caves are a group of nine rock-cut monuments situated among the southern slopes of the Vidhya’s in Bagh town of Dhar district. The caves were quarried in the 5th -6th century AD in the very late stages of Buddhism in India and long after most of the Indian Buddhist Caves had been built.

Sanctioned components at Dhar - Tourist reception centre, Approach Road and premises development.