Buddhist Sites in Madhya Pradesh :

 The history of Madhya Pradesh dates back to the Mauryan times, more precisely, to the times of Emperor Asoka. Asoka is one of the most famous rulers of Indian history who decided to opt for the paths of righteousness by renouncing the paths of violence. This transformation in him was brought about by the deep impact that the principles of Buddhism had on his mind. He made Buddhism and propagation of Buddhism the sole goal of his life. At the inception of his career asking Ashoka had functioned as viceroy of Mauryan empire’s western province and was posted at Ujjain; the then ‘Ujjaini’. After Buddhism had taken a center stage in his life, he took the initiative of setting up many Stupas all through his kingdom. In other words, during the ruling period of Ashoka, Buddhism flourished like anything in Madhya Pradesh but post his death and decline of Mauryan Empire, the status of Buddhism as a religion too declined to some extent.

Today Hindus make a major part of Madhya Pradesh’s population and those belonging to the religion of Buddhism constitute a minority only. However, the past legacies prove as a reminiscence of the era when Buddhism had been at the pinnacle of success and popularity as a religion in the state of Madhya Pradesh.The state thrives on all the things that a tourist may find fascinating. Cultural heritage, scenic beauty, rapid modern progress all combine together to impart the state with a character quite unique to itself. Buddhist Tourism intrigued by this strange amalgamation make a beeline to the state in order to explore it thoroughly.

Bharhut :

Bharhut is a village located in the Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, central India. It is known for its famous relics from a Buddhist stupa. The most famous donor for the Bharhut stupa was King Dhanabhuti.

The Bharhut sculptures represent some of the earliest examples of Indian and Buddhist art, later than the monumental art of Ashoka (circa 260 BCE), and slightly later than the early Sunga-period reliefs on railings at Sanchi Stupa No.2 (starting circa 115 BCE).Though more provincial in quality than the sculpture at Sanchi, Amaravati Stupa and some other sites, a large amount of sculpture has survived, generally in good condition. Recent authors date the reliefs of the railings of Bharhut circa 125–100 BCE, and clearly after Sanchi Stupa No.2, compared to which Bharhut has a much more developed iconography.The torana gateway was made slightly later than the railings, and is dated to 100–75 BCE. Many of the Bharhut remains are now located in the Indian Museum in Kolkata.

Bhim Janmabhoomi :

Bhim Janmabhoomi is a memorial dedicated to Babasaheb Ambedkar, located at Mhow (now Dr. Ambedkar Nagar) in Madhya Pradesh, India. This was birthplace of Ambedkar, who was born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow where the local government built this grand memorial. This memorial was inaugurated on Ambedkar's 100th birth anniversary – 14 April 1991 by the then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Sunder Lal Patwa. The architecture of the memorial was composed by architect E.D. Nimgade. Later, On 14 April 2008, the 117th birthday of Ambedkar, inaugurated the memorial. Nearly 4.52 acres of land is connected to the memorial. Every year, millions of Ambedkar's followers, Buddhists and other tourists visit this place, especially on 14 April and celebrated Ambedkar's birthday with pomp and gaiety.

Deur Kothar :

Deorkothar is a location of archaeological importance in Madhya Pradesh, Central India. It is known for its Buddhist stupas and was discovered in 1982.These stupas are credited to the Mauryan emperor, Ashoka. P.K. Mishra (Archaeological Survey of India) discovered Deorkothar in 1982 along with Ajit Singh, sarpanch of village Barhat. It was declared a monument of national importance in 1988 by the Govt of India and is being preserved and conserved by Archaeological Survey of India, Bhopal. Realising the importance of the site, and its likely international bearing on Buddhism, the Archaeological Survey of India decided to carry out extensive, but controlled, excavations at the site.

Sanchi :

Sanchi Stupa is a Buddhist complex, famous for its Great Stupa, on a hilltop at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the State of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is located in 46 kilometres (29 mi) north-east of Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh.The Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest stone structures in India, and an important monument of Indian Architecture. It was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chhatri, a parasol-like structure symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter the relics. The original construction work of this stupa was overseen by Ashoka, whose wife Devi was the daughter of a merchant of nearby Vidisha. Sanchi was also her birthplace as well as the venue of her and Ashoka's wedding. In the 1st century BCE, four elaborately carved toranas (ornamental gateways) and a balustrade encircling the entire structure were added. The Sanchi Stupa built during Mauryan period was made of bricks. The composite flourished until the 11th century.

Sanchi Stupa II :

The  Sanchi Stupa II, is one of the oldest existing Buddhist stupas in India, and part of the Buddhist complex of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh. It is of particular interest since it has the earliest known important displays of decorative reliefs in India, probably anterior to the reliefs at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, or the reliefs of Bharhut. It displays what has been called "the oldest extensive stupa decoration in existence". Stupa II at Sanchi is therefore considered as the birthplace of Jataka illustrations.

Sonari Stupas :

Sonari is the archaeological site of an ancient monastic complex of Buddhist stupas. The site, positioned on a hill, is located about 10 km southwest of Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh. The stupas were excavated around 1850 by Alexander Cunningham, who discovered two boxes containing relics. One of the reliquaries, which is very ornate, is visible nowadays at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The reliquary of Stupa No.2 presents has inscriptions in Brahmi mentioning the names of Buddhist monks also appearing in the reliquary of Sanchi Stupa No.2 and Andher Stupas: Kasapagota, Majjhima, Kosikiputa, Gotiputa, and Apagira. It would seem, then, that the ashes of these monks were divided between these three stupas.