Pavurallakonda

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Pavurallakonda
Pavurallabodu
Protected Buddhist Monument
Yaksha Sculpture Relief at Pavurallakonda Buddhist Remnant Site near Bheemunipatnam.jpg
Yaksha sculpture at Pavurallakonda near Bheemunipatnam
Visakhapatnam City Area Map.png
Red pog.svg
Pavurallakonda
Location in Visakhapatnam, India
Coordinates: 17°53′19″N83°26′14″E / 17.88861°N 83.43722°E / 17.88861; 83.43722
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
State Andhra Pradesh
District Visakhapatnam
Elevation
150 m (490 ft)
Languages
  Official Telugu
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
Nearest city Visakhapatnam
Holy relic sites map of Andhra Pradesh Holy relic sites map of Andhra Pradesh.jpg
Holy relic sites map of Andhra Pradesh

Pavurallakonda or Pavurallabodu is a hill popularly known as Narasimhaswamy Konda. It is located near Bheemunipatnam, about 25 km north of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Contents

Pavurallakonda consists of a ruined hilltop Buddhist monastic complex that witnessed human habitation anywhere from the 3rd century BCE to the 2nd century CE. It is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the North Coastal Andhra Region. Hinayana Buddhism may have been practiced at this hilltop site.[ citation needed ]

The initial excavation of this site yielded many relics. [1] Among the ruins are two Brahmi label inscriptions, foundations of Viharas, circular chaityas, votive stupas, and halls. Coins, polished ware, [2] beads, and other artifacts were recovered from the site by the Andhra Pradesh Department of Archaeology and Museums. [3] Nearly sixteen rock-cut cisterns were carved on the hill for the storage of rainwater. Excavations and restoration programs are ongoing at Pavurallakonda.[ citation needed ]

The Gosthani River flows near this site and is near Bavikonda and Thotlakonda, two Buddhist sites in the Visakhapatnam district. [4]

The Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has appealed to the authorities to ensure better protection of Buddhist sites after Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Pavurallakonda, and Bojjannakonda were designated as heritage sites by UNESCO. [5] [6]

Origin of the name

Pavurallakonda means 'The Hill of the Pigeons' (pavuralu in Telugu means pigeons, and konda means hill). However, some studies conducted at this site suggest that it may be known as Pavurallakonda due to the white stones on the hillock (pavurallu means "white stones" locally).[ citation needed ]

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References

  1. "Buddhist Relic-Caskets In South India". Bharatiya Kala Prakashan.
  2. "Journal of the Andhra Historical Research Society Volume 39". Andhra Historical Research Society. 1995.
  3. "Buddhist sites". Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
  4. "Sankaram Buddhist Excavations". India Airport.
  5. "A plea for preservation". DECCAN CHRONICLE.
  6. "Pavuralakonda in Visakhapatnam (History, Timings, Location)". news.hellovizag.in. Retrieved 1 April 2024.