Sacred Stories in Stone

This close-up photo captures an exquisite panel from the gateway (torana) of the Great Stupa at Sanchi, showcasing a scene of reverence around the Bodhi Tree — a key symbol in Buddhist iconography. Figures presenting offerings and celestial beings hovering above highlight the artistic storytelling of the 1st-century BCE artisans. The panel reflects devotion, symbolism, and the grandeur of Mauryan-era craftsmanship preserved in sandstone.