Got a day off and planning to explore something new? Some interesting but lesser known places near Bhopal include the Heliodorus Pillar – a stone column, locally known as Khamba Baba’. The pillar was erected around 113 BCE near the intersection of two rivers – Betwa and Halali in Vidisha, 59km/1.5hour northeast of Bhopal. The pillar is named after Heliodorus, an ambassador of Antialkidas, the Greek king of Taxila (now in Pakistan). There are inscriptions on the pillar in Brahmi script, which describe the religious dedication of Heliodorus towards God Vasudeva.

Located about 900m before Sanchi complex and right next to ASI Sanchi Museum is Sir John Marshall Memorial House, the Gothic-style bungalow of Sir John Marshall, director of the Archaeological Survey of India. Marshall while leading the excavation and restoration work at Sanchi between 1912 and 1919 had stayed in this house. While, the Archaeological Museum in Sanchi houses artefacts found during the course excavation operation at the Sanchi complex. One of the main attractions at the museum is the Lion Capital, which was once part of the Ashokan Pillar at southern torana of the Great Stupa.

The Chetiyagiri Vihara (meaning ‘resting place’), just outside the Sanchi complex, was built in 1952. It houses relics of the Buddha’s disciples Sariputta and Mahamoggallana.

The Vidisha District Museum, located 46km/1.5hour northeast of Bhopal, has on exhibit some of the finest statues, sculptures and coins from the 9th and 10th centuries.

On the way to Sanchi lies a point from where the northern most latitude of the Earth passes,
that is, the Tropic of Cancer Point. It is a must visit.

These are more, so what are you waiting for? It is time to travel the road less explored!

Abhinav Kakkar
Based on his excavation work and findings, Sir John Marshall published a book A Guide to Sanchi in 1918
Abhinav Kakkar
The Archeological Museum in Sanchi is spread across the main hall and four galleries with artefacts from Sanchi and nearby sites
Abhinav Kakkar
The Buddha statues in the open gallery at the Archeological Museum
Abhinav Kakkar
The exhibits at the museum showcase the excavation and restoration work at Sanchi
Abhinav Kakkar
One of the main attractions at the Archeological Museum is the Lion Capital, which was once part of the Ashokan Pillar at southern torana of the Great Stupa
Abhinav Kakkar
The Archaeological Museum in Sanchi houses artefacts found during the course excavation operation at the Sanchi complex
Abhinav Kakkar
The Chetiyagiri Vihara organises an annual festival every last Sunday of November and that is when the relics are brought out for public viewing and it attracts large number of pilgrims across the world
Abhinav Kakkar
The Tropic of Cancer point shows two parallel strips of white paint across the road marking the exact latitude: 23 degrees and 26 minutes of North