3 easy ways how to reach Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh
On a hilltop in Sanchi town, Raisen District, State of Madhya Pradesh, India, there is a Buddhist complex called Sanchi that is well-known for its Great Stupa. It lies around 23 kilometres from the district capital of Raisen and 46 kilometres (29 miles) north-east of Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh.
To reach the Stupa of Sanchi, you can follow the following steps:
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The 3rd Century BC stupa at the place is well-known and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stupa was constructed during the Mauryan era by order of Emperor Ashok. One of the best preserved stupas is this one. The quickest method to go to the place is to fly to Bhopal and then take a taxi from there. There are additional approaches, though, and they are covered.
By Bus to Sanchi
You may go to the place in approximately an hour by taking one of the numerous buses that leave from Bhopal bus terminal, which is located about a kilometre from Bhopal Junction train station. Such a bus makes a stop at a location along the route where there is a sign explaining how to get to the Stupas complex. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is just a short stroll away from there.
It is well-connected by road to major cities in Madhya Pradesh and neighboring states. You can take a taxi, bus, or hire a private vehicle to reach here. The town is located on National Highway 86, which makes it easily accessible.
By Rail to Sanchi
About 1.5 kilometres from Sanchi Stupa is a little railway station called Sanchi. A few passenger trains and a few long-distance trains stop here for a short while. It is best to take a train to Bhopal Junction, though, if you’re arriving by rail because the city has good train connections to the rest of the nation, including five pairs of Rajdhani Express, two pairs of Shatabdi Express, Garib Rath Express, Duronto Express, and a number of other express and passenger trains. Here is where the New Delhi Bhopal Habibganj Shatabdi Express, one of the nation’s swiftest trains, departs for its route of Delhi to Agra to Gwalior to Jhansi to Bhopal/Habibganj.
The nearest railway station is in Bhopal, which is well-connected to major cities in India. From Bhopal, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach Sanchi. The distance between Bhopal and Sanchi is approximately 46 kilometers.
By Air to Sanchi
The closest airport to the Stupa is the Raja Bhoj airport in Gandhi Nagar, Bhopal, which is located around 55 miles away. You may take a taxi from the airport to the heritage site in less than an hour and a half. Domestic airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Raipur, Shirdi, Jaipur, and Bangalore may be reached easily from the airport in Bhopal. Popular airlines operating out of this location include Alliance Air, Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Jet Airways.
The nearest airport is the Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal, which is approximately 40 kilometers away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to reach Sanchi.
Once you reach, you will need to walk or take a short ride to the Stupa of Sanchi, which is the main attraction in the town. The Stupa is located on a hilltop, and there are steps to reach the top where the Stupa is situated. The Stupa is open to visitors, and you can explore the various carvings and structures within the complex. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and carry water as it can involve some walking and climbing.
Text by Ashutosh Kumar
