In total there are 50 monuments within the Sanchi complex, each structure regardless of its form was numbered from 1 to 50 by Sir John Marshall, the Director General of Archaeology in India, who spent eight years cataloging and restoring the site between 1912 and 1919.
Situated less than 50m to the north of Stupa 1, Stupa 3 is the first monument you will pass having entered the Sanchi complex. Although it is of similar size to Stupa 2, it’s architectural elements more closely match that of Stupa 1.
Sanchi Stupa 2 has a wonderful setting, located next to a man made pond/tank with open views to the west. This stupa is somewhat detached from the rest of the monuments of Sanchi, and is hidden away out of sight whilst you’re exploring the other structures. As a result, in all probability you will be the only person here.
Sanchi is unique in having the most perfect and well preserved stupas anywhere in India, with monuments spanning from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D.
The Chaturbhuj Temple right in the heart of Orchha dominates the village quite unlike any other temple I have visited in India. It’s a magnificent, huge, tall, skyscraper-like structure, the impressive towering shikaras in the shape of pine cones almost seem to reach out to the sky.
Crowning a rocky hilltop 1km west of Orchha village, the solitary Lakshmi Narayan Mandir will certainly be one of the highlights of Orchha for anyone who makes the effort to visit this temple.
Kevin Standage 
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