Saru Maru

Saru Maru
The great stupa of Saru Maru
Shown within India Show map of India Saru Maru (Madhya Pradesh) Show map of Madhya Pradesh
Coordinates	22°43′48″N 77°31′12″E / 22.729949°N 77.519910°E / 22.729949; 77.519910
Type	Buddhist settlement, stupas and caves
Satellite of	Pangoraria

Saru Maru is the archaeological site of an ancient monastic complex and Buddhist caves. The site is located near the village of Pangoraria, Budhani Tehsil, Sehore District, Madhya Pradesh, India.^[1][2] The site is about 120 km south of Sanchi.

The site contains a number of stupas as well as natural caves for monks. In the caves many Buddhist graffiti have been found (swastika, triratna, kalasa ...). In the main cave were found two inscriptions of Ashoka: a version of the Minor Rock Edict n°1, one of the Edicts of Ashoka, and another inscription mentioning the visit of Piyadasi (honorific name used by Ashoka in his inscriptions) as Maharahakumara (Prince).^[1][2]

Piyadasi nama/ rajakumala va/ samvasamane/ imam desam papunitha/ vihara(ya)tay(e)

"The king, who (now after consecration) is called "Piyadasi", (once) came to this place for a pleasure tour while still a (ruling) prince, living together with his unwedded consort."

— Commemorative Inscription of the visit of Ashoka, Saru Maru. Translated by Falk.^[3][4]

According to the inscription, it would seem that Ashoka visited this Buddhist monastic complex while he was still a prince, and viceroy of the region of Madhya Pradesh, while his residence was to be at Vidisha.^[1] In the Buddhist tradition, Ashoka's wife was called Vidishadevi.

• 
  Small stupas on the hill of Saru Maru.
• 
  An inscription of Ashoka in one of the Saru Maru caves. It is a portion of Minor Rock Edict No.1.^[5]
• 
  View of the Minor Edicts in-situ

• ASI Saru Maru page

Adjacent Buddhist structures
Satdhara Sanchi Bhojpur Stupas Sonari Stupa Saru Maru Andher Stupas

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saru Maru.