Sangharakshita Pilgrimage
Map showing location of Chetiyagiri Vihara and Sanchi Stupas

Chetiyagiri Vihara and Sanchi Stupas

Sanchi, India · 1952

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23.47910°N, 77.73990°E

Key Facts

  • ◆ The Sacred Relics had been discovered in Stupa No. 3 at Sanchi by General Cunningham and taken to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
  • ◆ After their world tour through India, Sri Lanka, South-East Asia, Nepal, and Tibet, they were re-enshrined here on 30 November 1952.
  • ◆ The International Buddhist Cultural Conference was held simultaneously, with Dr Radhakrishnan presiding and Pandit Nehru speaking.
  • ◆ Sangharakshita explored the Great Stupa (Stupa No. 1) with Lama Govinda and Li Gotami.
  • ◆ The Chetiyagiri Vihara was, in Sangharakshita's assessment, architecturally more successful than the Mulagandhakuti Vihara at Sarnath.
  • ◆ Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — the Great Stupa dates from the 3rd century BCE and contains one of the finest gateways in Indian art.

“The most important event … was the re-enshrinement of the Sacred Relics of the two arhants and, therewith, the opening of the new Sanchi Vihara … I thought [the Chetiyagiri Vihara] was a greater success than … the Mulagandhakuti Vihara at Sarnath.”

— Facing Mount Kanchenjunga

Source: Facing Mount Kanchenjunga

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