About Sanchi Stupa 2
Sanchi Stupa 2 is a Buddhist stupa located on the western slope of Sanchi Hill in Sanchi, Raisen District, Madhya Pradesh. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sanchi Buddhist Monuments complex, it is smaller than the Great Stupa (Stupa No. 1) and dates to the late 2nd century BCE during the Shunga period. It is noted for its early stone railing, intricate relief carvings, and relic caskets of Buddhist teachers.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a small, dome-shaped brick and stone stupa set on a lower terrace west of the Great Stupa, surrounded by a well-preserved stone railing (vedika) with detailed carvings of lotus, animals, and floral motifs. The site is open-air on a hilltop with pathways connecting to other stupas, temples and the Ashoka pillar. Visitors can walk around the stupa, view the reliefs up close, and explore the broader archaeological complex with museum and viewpoints.
Key highlights
- 01
One of the earliest decorated stupas at Sanchi, dated to late 2nd century BCE (Shunga period)
- 02
Exquisitely carved stone railing with early Buddhist relief art depicting lotus, elephants, and mythical motifs
- 03
Relic caskets discovered inside containing remains of ten Buddhist teachers from the Mauryan period
- 04
Located on the western slope of Sanchi Hill offering quieter setting compared to the Great Stupa
- 05
Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi
History of Sanchi Stupa 2
Sanchi Stupa 2 was built in the late 2nd century BCE during the Shunga dynasty, after the Great Stupa. Excavated in the 19th century by Alexander Cunningham, it yielded stone relic caskets inscribed with names of Buddhist teachers including Kasapagota, Majjhima and Haritiputra, associated with the 3rd century BCE Buddhist mission. Its railing represents one of the earliest examples of Buddhist stone sculpture in India, marking the transition from wood to stone architecture.
Culture & Context
As part of the Sanchi Buddhist complex, Stupa 2 holds importance as an early Buddhist reliquary and pilgrimage site. It reflects early Buddhist art and architecture and the spread of Buddhism under the Mauryan and Shunga periods. The site is revered by Buddhists and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage ensemble that preserves India's Buddhist heritage.