Stupa (a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics) from Mauryan era (321 to 185 BC) found in Gir sanctuary.
The recent discovery of a stupa in Girnar sanctuary by Delhi University historian Dr Nayanjot Lahiri has suddenly caught the attention of not only archaeologists but even the environment minister Jairam Ramesh.
Ramesh has written to chief minister Narendra Modi asking for a complete archaeological survey of Girnar sanctuary as well as Sasan Gir sanctuary. "Lahiri recommends a thorough archaeological survey of the Girnar Reserve Sanctuary and Sasan Gir which, she believes, will reveal that the forest there have protected not merely wildlife but our historic heritage as well," he said.
The Girnar sanctuary is home to around 24 lions, while the Sasan Gir sanctuary is home to over 290 lions. The stupa in question is locally called Lakha Medi and is near the Bhordevi temple.
Originally, this stupa might have been more than 50 feet high and its core is of solid brick. Ramesh said that this might well be a Mauryan stupa. Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh and the stupa at Piprahwa in Uttar Pradesh also have solid bricks cores. These old bricks are being used by the Bhordevi temple to build new structures.
More in the Times of India
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-07/rajkot/29520028_1_stupa-sanchi-girnar-forest
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