Buddhist Circuit Footprints of Enlightenment

The Buddhist sites, which traces the spread of Buddhism and its rich heritage in South India, is both a walk through ancient history and a pilgrimage to sacred sites.

Amaravati

Amaravati, sitting by the bank of the Krishna in Guntur district, was the capital of the Satavahanas between the 2nd century BC and the 3rd century, and also a major learning centre, fostering the arts and serving as fertile ground for the growth of Buddhism. Here you can see the Amaravati Stupa, the largest in the country, though only parts of it remain. An Ashoka pillar found during excavations stands testimony to the arrival of Mauryan art in South India. To

learn more about Amaravati’s Buddhist heritage, visit the Arnaravati Museum, which showcases Buddha statues, besides sculptures of Goddess Tara and Bodhisattva Padmapani.

Adurru

The Godavari branches out to become the Vainetaya here and the village of Adurru is located on its bank, not far from the coastline of East Godavari district. Excavations here over 60 years ago revealed a mahastupa measuring 17 feet across with a raised platform running around it. The excavations also brought up shards of jars and utensils from centuries ago.

Nagarjunakonda

Nagarjunakonda is an island near the Nagarjuna Sagar dam in Guntur district, where Buddhism put down deep roots centuries ago. During the time that it was the capital of the lkshvaku dynasty, Buddhism received the patronage of the rulers and spread across the region. Here, you can now see the main stupa, believed to contain relics of the Buddha. You can also soak in the richness of this past at the island museum created in the midst of the lake. Built to resemble a vihara, it showcases some fine relics of Buddhist art, including a monolithic statue of the Buddha which exudes serenity, even if it’s mostly in ruins.

Thotlakonda

One of the high points of the Andhra Pradesh Buddhist circuit is Thotlakonda, not far from Visakhapatnam. Excavations have revealed that this was the site of a major monastery, chosen for its location—a haven sheltered from the sea. Researchers believe that a Hinayana Buddhist complex thrived here some 2,000 years ago. Visitors to Thotlakonda can walk through a place where Gautama Buddha was worshipped through symbols like Pudukas.

Bavikonda

One of the most sacred sites of Buddhism, Bavikonda — meaning Hill of Wells — is also one of the oldest. Today it stands as a reminder of the Buddhist-centric civilisation that once flourished here. Archaelogists and historians have traced in Bavikonda a sprawling Buddhist establishment that included a mahachaitya containing relics, a vihara complex, several stupas, a pillared congregation hall and other spaces.

Pavuralakonda

Just 20-plus km away from Visakhapatnam is Pavuralakonda, where the remains of a Buddhist settlement dating back to between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century are to be found. As with other sacred sites in the region, excavations revealed a thriving Buddhist settlement with the remains of viharas, chaitya grihas and votive stupas found here. The traveller to Pavuralakonda will also see a series of rock-cut troughs, possibly for fresh water, besides Brahmi inscriptions.

Ramathirtham

Ramathirtham in Nellore district is known for its Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple, dedicated to Shiva and his consort, Kamakshamma. It is believed also that Lord Rama spent a night here while looking for Sita and at dawn shaped a shivfing out of sand and worshipped it. Now, it has also become a site on the Buddhist circuit in Andhra Pradesh after excavations unearthed a mound, believed to be from a Buddhist structure, near the temple.

Dantapuram

The quiet air of this village in Srikakulam district may not, at first, give you any indication of the religious and historical significance of the place. It derives its name from the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha and flourished under Kalinga rule. It is believed that the tooth relic of the Buddha, now housed at the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, Sri Lanka, was taken there from Dantapuram.

Salihundam

The village of Salihundam, near Srikakulam town, sits atop a hill overlooking the Vamsadhara River. It is rich with traces from a Buddhist civilisation several centuries old and continues to draw travellers from across the globe. Against the picturesque backdrop of the hills you’ll find stupas and shrines, which have been unearthed by excavations in the area. The findings here are traced back to the period between the 2nd and 12th centuries, and reflect the many forms of Buddhism — Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana. Sculptures of Mareechi and Tara were also found at this sacred spot.

Ghantasala

Ohantasala, a short drive from Machilipatnam, isa gem on the Andhra Pradesh Buddhist circuit. Travellers come here to see the remains of sculptures and a stupa that reflect the Buddhist past of Ghantasala. The stupa here is considered to be of a singular design, with the cubical block of bricks adorned by the 12 zodiac signs. The dome of the stupa, it is believed, was decorated with slabs depicting the Buddha. While some of Ghantasala’s treasures have been spirited away, it is still a place to see some fine remnants of its glorious and sacred past — such as the Buddha statues and Buddhist art at the museum here.

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