Perched on a hill overlooking the plain and about 40 km from Bhopal, the site of Sanchi showcases a group of Buddhist monuments (monolithic pillars, palaces, temples and monasteries) all in different states of conservation most of which dating back to the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. It is the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in existence and was a main Buddhist centre in India till the 12th century A.D. Great Bowl and Buddhist Monasteries is one such example of fine architecture.
Great Bowl and Buddhist Monasteries in Sanchi, India is carved out of one block of stone, which contained food that was distributed amongst the monks of Sanchi. It was believed that this opulent Great Bowl and Buddhist Monasteries were the storehouse of different food items that was distributed amongst the residence monks of Sanchi.
Reaching Great Bowl and Buddhist Monasteries is not a problem as Sanchi is well connected by air, rail and road network. Nearest airport is at Bhopal (46 km via Diwanganj and 78 km via Raisen) which is linked with Delhi, Mumbai,Gwalior and Indore. Sanchi lies on the Jhansi-Itarsi section of the Central railways. However, the most convenient railhead is Vidisha. (10 km). Good, motorable roads connect Sanchi with Bhopal, Indore Sagar, Gwalior, Vidisha and Raisen, besides other places.
If you want to explore the various attractions of Sanchi including the Great Bowl and the Buddhist Monasteries then visit the place between October and March. The glory that was Sanchi, an ancient place of pilgrimage, can still be experienced in its multifaceted structures where many Buddhist legends found expression in the rich sculpture. Sanchi Great Bowl and Buddhist monasteries are the perfect example of the grand architectures.
