Sanchi Stupa Light and Sound Show, a Photo Essay

The Sanchi Light and Sound show is an ideal reason to stay back in this town after you have toured the UNESCO World Heritage site during day.

Sanchi is popular since ancient times for Buddhism and its preaching. The stupas of 3^rd BC form the backdrop of this tantalizing Light and Sound show.

One Day Tour of Sanchi

Sanchi, is a good destination for one day trip from Bhopal. You can plan the day itinerary for Sanchi like this:

• Bhopal to Sanchi, 43 km, travel by road – 6AM to 7.30AM,
• Have breakfast
• Tour Sanchi Stupa Complex, Archaeological Museum Sanchi
• Have lunch – Suggested place Gateway Retreat ( good food and stay facilities.)
• Proceed to Udaigiri caves 8.8 km, travel by road 15 minutes.
• Evening – souvenir hunting, local food tasting
• Night – Sanchi Stupa Light and sound show which is 7.30PM to 8.05PM.

Sanchi Stupa Light and Sound show

This event is a recent addition to the list of attractions of Sanchi. It was started on 1^st March 2019. Latest technologies like 3D projection mapping, laser, and amplified sound facilities in the open grounds has made the experience a memorable one.

One is spell bound by the dramatic narration of cine star, Ashutosh Rana. Duration is of 30 minutes during which Buddha’s entire life story is projected in quick clips and crisp dialogues.

Timings of Sanchi Stupa Light show

Light and sound show runs each night in English only. 7.30 – 8.05 pm, and entry is permitted from 7 pm. I would like to mention here that day timing is from 6am to 6pm, so you will miss capturing the sunset from the stupas of Sanchi.

Tickets for the show

Tickets for light show have to be purchased separately and are not included in the day tour ticket. Entry fee for Indians is Rs 100; and for foreign nationals is Rs 300.

Sanchi Light and Sound show Story

This show has been presented as a conversation between 2 characters – Itihaas (past) and Vartamaan (present). Present asks doubts which the character Past answers, a continuous streaming of audio and visual clips.

Sanchi Stupa Light and Sound show

There are 3 parts to the story presented. First which narrates the story of Ashoka from his birth till the time he became Dharmaraja. Second part narrates the story of Buddha’s two main disciples, Sariputta and Maudgalyayana. And the third explains the various features of Sanchi Stupa.

Story of Samrat Ashoka

Vartamaan asks: Buddha never visited Sanchi, then how come His mortal remains were found here?

Itihas narrates the answer: In the first clip two little boys watch Buddha and his disciple seeking alms. One of them runs towards Buddha and offers a handful of sand as alms in his begging bowl.

While Buddha’s disciple was upset, Buddha seemed pleased and blessed (or predicted) the little boy would be born 200 years later as king of Patliputra (modern day Patna in Bihar). He would be a great king and build 84000 monuments to preserve Buddha’s mortal remains!

This prediction turned out to be true!

Ashoka was born to Magadh Emperor Bindusara and his wife Shubhadrangi. But sadly for Ashoka, he was disliked by his father for his ugly physical features; or rather he showered more love on his other sons comparatively.

This partiality caused a deep hurt and rage in the tender mind of little prince Ashoka. And the feeling later manifested as strong violent attitude of grown up Ashoka.

Bindusara, sensing trouble from him, deputed him to Ujjain. Here Ashoka finds love in Devi, daughter of a trader in Vidisha and they get married.

However soon he was asked to fend off attack from Takshashila. Ashoka brutally crushed this uprising. He then proceeded to Patliputra intending to take over the reins of the kingdom.

One by one he killed his own brothers and took over control of the kingdom. His father too passed away in the melee of struggle for power.

Kalinga War

Ashoka, blood thirsty, brutal, still unsatiated with the power he got, waged war against Kalinga. This battle of Kalinga was the turning point of Ashoka’s life. In the gruesome war that ensued thousands died. The sight of thousands and thousands of dead and mutilated bodies, wailing of women and children brought a strong sense of remorse in him.

Ashoka – From Emperor to Dharmaraja

He remembered Devi, his wife who was an ardent follower of Buddha. Ashoka, full of regret and sorrow, laid down his arms and chose path of dhamma (dharma).

After visiting Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Sravasti where Buddha had been during his lifetime, Ashoka decided to build several stupas with Buddha’s relics and spread the word of dhamma.

He sought the cooperation of dividing and spreading the remains of Buddha. Ashoka distributed Buddha’s remains in 84,000 small boxes to hold the relics and scrolls that had written script!

This act made him known as Dharmaraj!

Mahindra and Sanghamitra, his children from Devi, were followers of Buddhism. Devi sent her children to spread the relics of Buddha to Sri Lanka.

Inscriptions on Ashoka Pillar – Devi had constructed a monastery for the monks; Ashoka constructed the stupa in Sanchi. 42 feet Ashok Stambh, identical to the one in Sarnath too was made here.

Tale of Sariputta and Maudgalyayana

While this was happening, relics of Buddha’s 2 chief disciples, Sariputta and Maudgalyayana, too were preserved in Sanchi.

Vartamaan now asks: Whose tales are you now recounting Itihaas?

Itihas replies: I offer my salutations to Buddha’s disciples, Sariputta and Maudgalyayana, whose mortal remains are in third stupa in Sanchi.

Buddha visited Kapilavastu with these monks. Buddha, on his father’s insistence went to meet Yashodhara, his wife. He was accompanied by his 2 disciples.

Queen Yashodhara – Buddha’s wife – While Buddha leaves after the meeting, Yashodhara sends their son Rahul to ask for inheritance from his father. Buddha turns to his disciples and tells them: I have nothing to give my son except inheritance of virtuous life. Initiate him to a path of dhamma.

Both, Sariputta and Maudgalyayana (Moggallana), conducts this role very well. They emulated his words and actions, they both had become Buddha.

Their relics are inside a temple in Sri Lanka where they are displayed once a year!

Vartamaan asks a pertinent question: Itihaas, does this mean the stupas are built to glorify mortal remains of the monks? How did they reach far and wide like Lord Buddha’s remains?

Itihaas replies: This was done by Ashoka. But the fact that their remains too were here in Sanchi got lost in history.

Sariputta continued to be concerned of well being of all around him till the time of nirvana, his death. He visits his mother and while showing her the path of dhamma ascended into eternal light.

This separation from his dear friend was hard for Maudgalyayana.  7 days after Sariputta attained nirvana Moggallana too left for heavenly abode.

Pushyamitra Shung treacherously murdered Brihadratha, the last Mauryan King. This marked the fall of Mauryan dynasty and rise of Shung dynasty, who were followers of Vedic religion. During this time, a disbeliever of Buddhism desecrated the stupa.

Description of Sanchi Stupa and Torana

Rest of the show focuses on the stupas of Sanchi. Agnimitra, Pushyamitra’s son , ruler of Vidisha repaired, reconstructed and rebuilt the stupa to twice its original size. 4 arched doorways, torana, were built around the stupa. Depictions on torana describe the entire life of Buddha.

Light show on Sanchi stupa

Conclusion

I have almost given away the entire story that is shown in the Light and Sound show. Do watch it in real, in the same grounds where Samrat Ashoka, his wife Devi, his children and his followers had once walked! Imagine their presence, it will be a goose bump, amazing, memorable episode to remember all your life, I promise.

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