Day 14: Pilgrimage to Sanchi

Sanchi stupa

Together with SN (who has now joined us), we are now on the road to Sanchi. It's about 30 miles away.

We will also visit Satdhara, which is on the way. These are all important Buddhist pilgrimage sites - all built by Ashoka thousands of years ago. The sites were all restored from dishevelment by Major General Cunningham of The British Raj in the Victorian era.

Five of us pilgrims are travelling in a Jeep.

Alexander Cunningham

We crossed the Tropic of Cancer meridian. 

World's biggest trailer load?

Saw a new tractor brand today called Eicher. Not seen these before in India. Sounds German. I must do some research.....

Roadside Chai stall

Satdhara large stupa

Satdhara was a special place in a beautiful, secluded valley. Thousands of years ago there would been a large monastery here, with hundreds and hundreds of monks. There were another 29 small stupas dotted about the site - many in ruins.

We pressed on to Sanchi. As a 'foreigner', my admission price was £6, and for the other Indians in our party, it was 40p! They obviously make money off us foreigners.

Sanchi was an incredible place and we spent hours exploring the main stupa, the smaller stupa and the monastery ruins. All was beautifully maintained by the Indian Government.

We felt uplifted to be there and grateful to those who built it 1700 years back.

Today we celebrate Nityashri's Order aniversary. She was ordained 8 years ago. This year, I celebrate 35 years and Adityabodhi 39 years in the Order. We are the oldies!

Sanchi

On our return to Bhopal, we had a look at the beautiful Upper Lake. Tomorrow we may hire a rowing boat.

Upper Lake, Bhopal

In the evening we wended our way down backstreets smelling of pungent incense to find the home of one of our supporters. A lovely family. 18 of us were crammed into the small-but-pleasant house where we performed puja, chanted mantras and then gorgeous food arrived. 

It was an excellent end to a significant day