Great Stupa

The classic stupa shape was most prominent during the Mauryan dynasty in India. Ashoka Maurya Buddhist influence whilst ruler of India helped spread Buddhist philosophy and doctrine in India, its symbolism penetrating Indian art and architecture. Also known as Stupa Number One, it was one of the earlier stupa forms, capped spectacularly by the monumental dome as its centrepiece, an almost perfect hemisphere aligned with the sun. The stone gateways and surrounding terrace were added a century later. Later still, four stone buddhas were placed along the outside walls of the stupa. To see the Great Stupa and its surrounding stupas is to see almost the entire span of Buddhist architecture in India.