Stupa 3 and Temple 31 Sanchi

Stupa 3 is in the background. The photo was taken from the southeast, in the vicinity of Vihara 45.

Stupa 3 was originally constructed in the 2d century BC, and repaired and enlarged in the 1st century BC - 1st century AD, in tandem with but lagging the more important Stupa 1. Stupa 3 is smaller and poorer than its more famous relative, having only one chattra and gateway. However, when opened in 1851, Stupa 3 was found to contain reliquary caskets inscribed with the names of Sariputasa and Mahamogalanasa, two men who were disciples (known as the Elders of the Right and Left Hand) of the Buddha during his lifetime. The caskets contained beads and fragments of bone. They are preserved in a modern temple on site, where they are exhibited to the faithful annually for one day each December. This has become a pilgrimage day for numerous visitors from Southeast Asia and Japan.

Temple 31, with its statue of Buddha protected by Mucalinda, is seen in the foreground.