It originated as a simple semi-circular mound of earth, which was later called Anda. Gradually with time and the addition of artwork it evolved and got transformed into a more complex structure.
Stupas were built at places that were regarded as sacred. Sacred because these places were related to Buddha’s life. Relics of the Buddha such as his bodily remains or objects used by him were buried under these mounds and these mounds are known as a stupa.
The tradition of erecting stupas may have been pre-Buddhist, but they came to be associated with Buddhism.
sanchi stupa
Stupa Features
Stupa
A mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics (such as śarīra – typically the remains of Buddhist monks or nuns) that is used as a place of meditation
Circumambulation (Pradakhshina)
An important ritual and devotional practice in Buddhism involving walking around the stupa
Vedikā Railings
Decorative railings outside the path around the base, often highly decorated with sculpture, especially at the torana gateways
Chatras
Thin vertical elements with one or more horizontal discs spreading from it. These are symbolic umbrellas.
Sanchi Stupa
The most famous and best-preserved early stupa in India located in Madhya Pradesh
Votive Stupas
Small stupas paid for by pilgrims and might be less than a meter high
Characteristics of Stupa
Characteristics
Description
Form
Hemispherical form derived from pre-Buddhist burial mounds in India
Components
Circular base, solid dome (anda or garbha), umbrella, railing, and four gateways with relief sculptures
Symbolism
Central relic is identified with the sacred person or concept commemorated and also with the building itself
Worship
Consists in walking around the monument in the clockwise direction
Structure
Freestanding monument, even when sheltered by a building
Different Forms of Stupa in Buddhism
South Asian Form
A large solid dome with a tholobate or drum with vertical sides and sits on a square base
Chortens
Form used in Tibetan Buddhism
Pagodas
Form used in East Asian Buddhism
Elongated Shapes in South-East Asia
Various dome shapes leading to high, thin spires
Chaitya
A prayer hall or temple containing a stupa
History of Stupa
Origin
Developed from pre-Buddhist burial mounds in India
Spread
Spread throughout the Buddhist world and evolved into different-looking monuments such as dagabas in Sri Lanka, terraced temple in Java, variations in Tibet, and multistoried pagodas in China, Korea, and Japan
Purpose
Built to house the earthly remains of the historical Buddha and his associates, almost invariably found at sites sacred to Buddhism. The concept of a relic was afterward extended to include sacred texts.
Stupa & Chaitya
Term
Description
Stupa
In early Buddhist inscriptions in India stupa and caitya appear to be almost interchangable. Unlike stupa, however, caitya has a broader meaning and does not define an architectural form.
Chaitya
In pre-Buddhist India, caitya was a term for a shrine, sanctuary, or holy place in the landscape, generally outdoors, inhabited by, or sacred to, a particular deity. In the Mahāyāna Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra, the Buddha remarks to Ananda how beautiful are the various caitya round Vaishali. In later times and in other countries, Chaitya implies the presence of important relics.
Mahastupa
Both words have forms prefixed by maha for “great,” “large,” or “important,” but scholars find the difference between a mahastupa and a stupa hard to pin down.
Why were Stupa Built?
The Stupas were built at places that were considered as sacred, because of their relation to Buddha’s Life.
Relics of the Buddha-like his bodily remains and objects used by him were buried in these stupas.
The tradition of making stupa may have been pre-Buddhist, but they came to be linked with Buddhism because of the use of Stupa by the Buddhism sect. As they contained relics which is regarded as sacred, the entire stupa came to be venerated as a symbol of both the Buddha and Buddhism.
The Buddhist text Ashokavadana, mentions that the Great Asoka distributed portions of the Buddha’s relics to every important town and ordered for the construction of stupa over them. By the second century BCE, numerous stupas had been built, including those at Bharhut, Sanchi and Sarnath.
How were stupa built?
The Inscriptions on the railings and pillars of these stupas shows that donations were made for building and decorating them.
Some donations were made by kings such as the Satavahanas;
Some donations were made by guilds, such as that of the ivory workers who financed part of one of the gateways at Sanchi.
Donations were made by Hundreds of women and men whose names were also mentioned on these Inscriptions, sometimes with the name of the place from where they came, as well as their occupations and names of their relatives.
Bhikkhus and bhikkhunis also donated towards building these stupas.
The structure of the stupa
The stupa began as a simple semi-circular mound of earth. And gradually, it evolved into a more complex structure.
The simple semi-circular mound of earth is called Anda, above this anda is the harmika, a structure resembling a balcony it represents the abode of the gods.
Rising above from the harmika is a mast called the Yashti, often surmounted by a chhatri or umbrella. Around the mound is a railing known as Vedika.
The Circumbulatory path between the railing and the Anda is known as Pradakshina.
The Entrance gate is called Torana.
Worshippers enter the Stupa through the eastern gateway and walk around the mound or Anda in a clockwise direction on the Pradakshina Path, keeping the mound on the right, imitating the sun’s course through the sky.
Stupas in India
Some of the most prominent Stupas in India are:
S.No
Stupa Name
Features
1
Papriwaha Stupa
Lumbini, Oldest of all
2
Sanchi, Sarnath, Soneri and Sasaram
These were built during the Mauryan Times
3
Baruhath Stupa
Sunga Dynasty
4
Amravati Stupa
Most important of South India.
5
Nagarjunaconda Stupa
South India
Stupas in India
Sanchi Stupa
The Sanchi Stupa, located in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India, is one of the most important and well-preserved Buddhist monuments in the world, dating back to the 3rd century BCE. Its massive hemispherical dome and intricate carvings depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha, as well as its exquisite stone gateways known as “toranas,” make it a true architectural marvel. The Sanchi Stupa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of India’s rich cultural heritage, attracting visitors from all over the world to marvel at its timeless beauty and historical significance.
Barhut Stupa
The Bharhut Stupa, built in the 2nd century BCE, is a well-preserved ancient Indian Buddhist monument renowned for its intricate carvings and sculptures depicting tales from the life of the Buddha. This grand stupa, located in the Madhya Pradesh state of India, stands as a testament to the artistic and architectural mastery of ancient India and continues to captivate visitors with its beauty and rich cultural heritage.
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Thank you for your feedback! We’re happy to hear that our site is helpful and provides the information needed to pursue a career in civil service. We’ll do everything we can to ensure that our resources are of the highest quality and meet your needs. Thank you for using our site! Regarding the List you provided, Tiger reserves, National Parks, and Glaciers are already published on the site. We will keep posting new ones as per the time demand and our time availability. Thanks again!
please make a note on all the rivers passing by an important sites – like covering all unesco world heritage sites , , temples , national parks , tiger reserve ,
could you please make maps on following topics
1) all wild life sanctuaries state wise maps
2) national parks state wise maps
3) Tiger reserves state-wise maps
4)all freshwater lakes on Indian map
5) all saltwater lakes on Indian map
6) all glaciers on the Indian map
7) all major waterfalls on Indian map
8) places in the newsgroup of 10 places and like this multiple maps till UPSC mains.
i find this site extremely helpful and has the potential to help candidates get the dreamed civil service.
Thank you for your feedback! We’re happy to hear that our site is helpful and provides the information needed to pursue a career in civil service. We’ll do everything we can to ensure that our resources are of the highest quality and meet your needs. Thank you for using our site! Regarding the List you provided, Tiger reserves, National Parks, and Glaciers are already published on the site. We will keep posting new ones as per the time demand and our time availability. Thanks again!