Ashoka Pillar, Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh India

The Ashoka Pillar is very popular among the tourists in Sanchi. The pillar is located at the southern gateway of the well known Sanchi Stupa. The amazing feature of this pillar is it s throughout well proportionate balanced structure. At present the complete structure cannot be viewed. One can see the shaft at the gateway while the crown consisting of four loins standing back to back can be viewed in the museum. The Ashokan Pillar is brilliantly carved in Greco Buddhist style. The dazzling polish of this pillar still glitters to this date. Ashoka Pillar looks similar to Sarnath Pillar.  The only difference between the two pillars is that the lions of Ashoka pillar do not hold 24 spoke dharma chakra or wheel of life while the Sarnath pillar holds the lion same as depicted in the national emblem of India.