Sanchi Gupta Temple Gupta Temple in Sanchi is one of the famous temples of Gupta’s era. Its situation itself is in a huge compound that has a topmost projection like a shelf. There are three shelves in this structure, the lower, intermediary and top shelf. One can visit the temple in the middle shelf. The temple has a covered space and as a pillar that has an extension at the doorway. The sanctum is small in size and has a portico (mantapa) in its frontage. It stands on a low basement in square shape said to be of 3.85 m X 3.72 m and 3.9 m high. It is compared to the prototype of early Greek shrine resembling the Temple of Wingless Victory. The mantapa stands on four pillars, which are like square shaft in lower part and eight and sixteen sides on the focal point. One may wonder to see the bell like resource on top and crowned with a lion. The other curiosity is that two lions share a single head. This temple is not as grand as one sees in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu in Madurai, Kanchi, Rameswaram etc. It is small but simple in size and look. The experts say that it is sensibly calculated construction of Indian architecture. It might have been built in the 5th century A.D. On entering the sanctum one will see the Lord Shivalinga covered in a glass box, probably to protect it from being touched and spoiled by the over enthusiastic devotees. The seven headed snake metal image is kept decoratively and as a mark of sacred sign. There are images of several gods round the wall inside the sanctum. The priest is sitting chanting “Om Namah Shivaya” and at the same time carefully guiding devotees to put their contributions in a fixed place. The Gupta temple marks the genesis of temple Architecture in India. This temple is identified as Gupta Temple No.17 as symbolic of the renaissance of structural activity in Sanchi. It is given an important place in Indian history. The structures of the temple represent the outstanding development in the architecture during the time of Gupta’s regime. It is really the reflection in every stone and temperament of the people and of the epoch which produced it. It was an epoch that was mainly imaginative and derivative. It can be said that it is like a stadium In order to reach Sanchi one may prefer Air, Train and Road transport to Bhopal the state capital of Madhya Pradesh. The nearest airport is the Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal at 45 km from Sanchi. To travel by train the nearest railway station from Sanchi is also Bhopal. Number of express trains run from Bhopal to Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Gwalior, Jhansi and Ujjain etc. On reaching Bhopal one can avail a bus or car from there to reach Sanchi. One who is nearby to Bhopal or in neighbouring state may find it convenient to go to Sanchi by road. The road networks are well laid and maintained in good condition. Sanchi is 45 km to Bhopal, 10km to Vidisha and 230km to Indore. Regular tourist deluxe and ordinary buses ply between Bhopal and Sanchi, in addition to many private tour operators. One will find decent accommodation and will get tasty food at Sanchi.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 10:32:34 +0000
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