'''Sanchi''' is the site of a great Buddhist stupa. It is located in Madhya Pradesh, India, about 9 km southwest of Vidisha and 46 km from Bhopal.
Understand
'''History'''
Vidisha was the capital city of the ancient Malwa kingdom. Over the years, many Buddhist monuments were constructed within a 20 kilometer radius of Vidisha.
The Sanchi stupas date from the third century BC and are some of the best preserved historical monuments in India. There is no direct connection between Sanchi and the Buddha. The seventh century Chinese traveler Huen Tsang, who journeyed across India and wrote in detail about Buddhist monuments in India does not even mention Sanchi in his travelogues.
Yet Sanchi is a must-see on every Buddhist's pilgrimage of Buddhist holy sites.
Get in
Just 46 km from Bhopal, which is very well connected to the rest of India. Your own vehicle is not a must, as any buses going to Ashta from Bhopal can drop you within half a kilometer of the Site. And everything, including the site and the lodging facilities, is within 1 square kilometer. Also, the Sanchi railway station is very close to the site.
Get around
Apart from the Stoopas, and the nearby Archaeological Museum, there's not much to be seen in Sanchi. Around 15 km from Sanchi, Udaigiri Caves is another good-to-visit place.
See
The stoopas site (of course) and the Archaeological Museum--they have some wonderful artifacts there.
Do
The Archeological Museum is a must-see. The history and historical artifacts from places around Sanchi. Metal-tools and beautiful sculptures as old as 2000 years make you think about that era.
The museum also showcases the history and revival of this place.
Buy
Within the stoopas boundary, you can buy literature and maps for various tourism sites in MP.
Eat
Good north Indian, south Indian, continental, and Chinese food is available.
Drink
Sleep
MP tourism has two very good lodging facilities with good, tasty MP food. The availability of rooms, however, can be an issue.
Apart from these government owned places, there are a couple of private ones also.
Get out