Sanchi: West Gate and the Great Stupa, from west, Gate, Early Andhra Period, 72-25 B.C.
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Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham
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Toranas or gates received the greatest artistic attention of any part of the stupa in its entirety, for the gates announced Buddha's presence in narrative decorations and reminded the visitor that he was in fact entering into the realm of gods when he passed that particular gate, The west gate was the last to be built at the stupa, but despite its more recent addition, the gate is like the previous three in structural design and decorational program, In the highest architrave, 34 feet above the ground, are the symbols of Buddhism while the middle and lowest lintels relate scenes from Buddha's life: the 'War of Relics' and 'Temptation of Buddha' respectively appear on the inner faces of the lintels, the 'Sermon at Deer Park' and Bodhi tree worship by the King of the Elephants on the respective outer faces of the lintels, Tales of Buddha's many incarnations (atakas) appear on the pillars alternating with figures of Yakshis, Yakshas, elephants, horsemen and floral ornaments, The visitor to the stupa would read the narratives vertically, then horizontally, taking an episode from each panel or architrave, but not reading across such divisions, for the narrative is not continuous even though the scenes described are, of course, related, Once past the gate, the ritual circumambulation of the 'Great Mound of the World' is made going in a counterclockwise direction as to keep the stupa always on one's left,
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Basham Collection
Date created
circa 1970s
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This image is provided for research purposes only and must not be reproduced without the prior permission of the Archives Program, Australian National University.
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