Gyaraspur Dhaikinath Stupa, Madhya Pradesh

Address

Gyaraspur Dhaikinath Stupa, Madhya Pradesh

Gyaraspur Fort, Gyaraspur,

Madhya Pradesh 464331

Moolavar

Buddha

Introduction

The Dhaikinath Stupa is a significant Buddhist monument located on the slopes of a hill in Gyaraspur Town, within the Gyaraspur Tehsil of the Vidisha District in Madhya Pradesh, India. It holds the status of being classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Location: The stupa is situated approximately 1 kilometer from Gyaraspur Bus Stand, 27 kilometers from Gulab Ganj Railway Station, and 101 kilometers from Bhopal Airport. It is located along the route from Vidisha to Sagar.

Historical Significance: Gyaraspur is known for its historical importance in medieval India. The town contains various ruins of ancient Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist places of worship dating back to the 9th to 10th centuries CE.

Salabhanjika Sculpture: Gyaraspur is also renowned for a Salabhanjika sculpture, which is currently housed in the Gwalior Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum (Gwalior Fort Museum). This sculpture is highly regarded for its exceptional beauty and is sometimes referred to as the “Indian Venus” or the “Gyaraspur Lady.”

Construction Period: The Dhaikinath Stupa was constructed between the 6th and 7th centuries CE, making it an ancient Buddhist monument with a history spanning many centuries.

Architectural Features: The stupa is built on a raised platform situated on the hill’s slope. It has a distinctive hemispherical dome shape and rests on a circular berm. Projections resembling small platforms extend from the berm in each cardinal direction.

Buddha Images: The stupa is historically significant for housing images of Buddha within its railings. Although these railings are now scattered at the site, they once contained representations of Buddha.

Sculpture Shed: A sculpture shed at the site houses images of Buddha, contributing to the historical and spiritual significance of the location.

Overall, the Dhaikinath Stupa is an important archaeological site in Madhya Pradesh, India, representing the rich Buddhist heritage of the region. Its historical and cultural significance is further enhanced by the presence of ancient ruins and the notable Salabhanjika sculpture in the vicinity.