The Ramagrama stupa is guarded by serpents and we keep hearing that the serpent-genii are capable of assuming very different forms, sometimes animal, sometimes half-animal half-snake, half-snake half-human and sometimes almost human. It sounds like a magical story. But these stories are found in ancient carvings such as the brackets of the Ramappa temple with beautiful serpentine decorative elements. The Sanchi Museum also preserves two such statues recovered from the Nagori hill near Sanchi. In a village nearby there is a sect which worships snakes.
One such statue of a serpent with five hoods on its head, worn out by time and weather, was found near Temple 31. The statue was carved out of brown sandstone quarried from Nagauri hill, located close to the Sanchi hill and probably it might have carved out in 4th or 5th century AD.
This Nagi statue is monolithic Sculpture, which is about 7 to 7.5 feet high along with its base, was found from the excavation of the platform of Temple and Monastery 31. It was placed in such a way that it could be seen easily. There is a calk under its base, which was molded in the platform. To install it in the present position, the platform was removed and the base of the statue was embedded in the stone masonry. Then the statue was broken into two parts a little above the ankles. The lower part was found at the same place and the upper part was found a little far away. The Archaeological Department has put together both the parts of this statue and displayed it at the same place from where it was found. There are indications that a similar statue was installed to the east of the stairs.
This monument is very attractive and attracts lot of tourists who are visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site.