Stupa 2

Stupa 2 at Sanchi sits on a lower terrace of the hill and dates to the 2nd century BC during the Shunga period. While smaller than the Great Stupa, it is distinguished by its stone railing, which is covered along its entire circumference with circular medallions carved in high relief depicting floral motifs, human and animal figures, demi-gods and decorative patterns that represent some of the earliest stone carving at the site. Reliquary caskets containing the bone relics of early Buddhist disciples were discovered within the stupa during 19th-century excavations.