Pavurallakonda

Last updated

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
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 the local name of the hill popularly known as Narasimhaswamy Konda, near Bheemunipatnam about 25km north of Visakhapatnam, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located at a height of about 150 meters above sea level.

Contents

Pavurallakonda consists of a ruined hilltop Buddhist monastic complex that had 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 flourished at this hilltop site.[ citation needed ]

The initial excavation of this site yielded many relics. [1] Two Brahmi label inscriptions, foundations of Viharas, circular chaityas, votive stupas, halls, etc. are located among the ruins. Coins, polished ware, [2] beads, etc. were recovered from the site by the state archaeology department [3] of Andhra Pradesh. Nearly sixteen rock-cut cisterns are carved on the hill for the storage of rainwater. Excavations and restoration programs are under progress at Pavurallakonda.[ citation needed ]

The Gosthani River flows close by this site. This site is contemporary with the nearby Buddhist sites in Visakhapatnam district, like Bavikonda and Thotlakonda. [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] This will not only pave the way for a steady flow of funds but also generate employment opportunities for the locals.[ citation needed ]

Origin of the name

Pavurallakonda, in general, gives the meaning as '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 availability of white stones on the hillock (pavurallu means "white stones" locally). The origin of the name of this site needs clarification.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visakhapatnam</span> Metropolis in Andhra Pradesh, India

Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, Viśākha or Waltair, is the largest and most populous metropolitan city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is between the Eastern Ghats and the coast of the Bay of Bengal. It is the second largest city on the east coast of India after Chennai, and the fourth-largest in South India. It is one of the four smart cities of Andhra Pradesh selected under the Smart Cities Mission and is the headquarters of Visakhapatnam district. With an estimated output of $43.5 billion, it is the ninth-largest contributor to India's gross domestic product as of 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coastal Andhra</span> Geographic region of Andhra Pradesh, India

Coastal Andhra or Kosta Andhra is a geographic region in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Vijayawada is the largest city in this region. Region share borders with Uttarandhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana. It was part of Madras State before 1953 and Andhra State from 1953 to 1956. According to the 2011 census, it has an area of 91,915 square kilometres (35,489 sq mi) which is 57.99% of the total state area and a population of 34,193,868 which is 69.20% of Andhra Pradesh state population. This area includes the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh on the Circar Coast between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal, from the northern border with Odisha to Rayalaseema in the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramateertham</span> Village in Andhra Pradesh, India

Ramateertham is a village panchayat in Nellimarla mandal of Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh in India. It is about 12 km from Vizianagaram city. It is a famous Pilgrimage and also Ancient Historical Site since 3rd Century BCE. There is a post office at Ramateertham. The PIN code is 535218.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anakapalli</span> City in Andhra Pradesh, India

Anakapalli is a residential neighborhood in the city of Visakhapatnam, also the headquarters of Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh. In 2015 Anakapalli municipality was merged with the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. It falls under zone 7 of GVMC. India's second largest jaggery market is located over here.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amudalavalasa</span> Town in Andhra Pradesh, India

Amadalavalasa is a town in Srikakulam district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a municipality and also the mandal headquarters of Amadalavalasa mandal. The town is spread over an area of 19.65 km2 (7.59 sq mi), which is under the jurisdiction of Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority. Srikakulam Road railway station is situated at Amadalavalasa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bheemunipatnam</span> Place in Andhra Pradesh, India

Bheemunipatnam, is a suburb of Visakhapatnam, India. The town was named after Bhima, a character in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. It formerly administered under the Bheemunipatnam municipality, but merged into GVMC in 2017. It is currently under the administration of Bheemunipatnam revenue division and the headquarters is located at Bheemunipatnam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nagarjunakonda</span> Historical town in Andhra Pradesh, India

Nagarjunakonda: Nāgārjunikoṇḍa, meaning Nagarjuna Hill) is a historical town, now an island located near Nagarjuna Sagar in Palnadu district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of India's richest Buddhist sites, and now lies almost entirely under the lake created by the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. With the construction of the dam, the archaeological relics at Nagarjunakonda were submerged, and had to be excavated and transferred to higher land, which has become an island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gosthani River</span> River in India

The Gosthani river is a river in India. It rises in the Ananthagiri Hills of the Eastern Ghats and flows through the Borra Caves which lie near its source. It is the largest river flowing through Visakhapatnam city. It flows for 120 km before joining the Bay of Bengal through an estuary near Bheemunipatnam. The river basin drains the two coastal districts of Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam. The basin exhibits a subdendritic and dendritic pattern of drainage. The Gosthani's is a minor river basin with a total drainage area of less than 2000 km2. Much of the basin is covered by khondalite group of gneissic rocks. About 3% of the total area of the Visakhapatnam district is under the Gosthani basin. The river is rainfed, receiving an average rainfall of 110 cm most of which comes from the south-west monsoon. There are several red sand hills near Bheemunipatnam, where the Gosthani joins the Bay of Bengal, which are reminiscent of the Chambal ravines. These are thought to have been formed six millennia ago due to shifts in the river's course following tectonic activity. The river joins the Bay of Bengal at Bhimli where it forms an estuary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salihundam</span> Protected Buddhist Monument in Andhra Pradesh, India

Salihundam, is a village and panchayat in Gara Mandal of Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh. It is a historically important Buddhist monument of ancient Kalinga and a major tourist attraction It is a village lying on top of the hill on the south bank of the Vamsadhara River. It is at a distance of 5 KM west to Kalingapatnam and 10 KM from Singupuram and 18 KM from Srikakulam town. It was known as Salipetaka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India</span>

In religion and spirituality, a pilgrimage is a long journey or search of great moral significance. Sometimes, it is a journey to a sacred place or to a shrine of importance to a person's beliefs and faith. Members of every major religion participate in pilgrimages. A person who makes such a journey is called a pilgrim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pushpagiri Vihara</span> Buddhist site in Odisha, India

Pushpagiri was an ancient Indian mahavihara or monastic complex located atop Langudi Hill in Jajpur district of Odisha, India. Pushpagiri was mentioned in the writings of the Chinese traveller Xuanzang and some other ancient sources. Until the 1990s, it was hypothesised to be one or all of the Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udayagiri group of monastic sites, also located in Jajpur district. These sites contain ruins of many buildings, stupas of various sizes, sculptures, and other artifacts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thotlakonda</span> Protected Buddhist Monument in Andhra Pradesh, India

Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex is situated on a hill near Bheemunipatnam about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India. The hill is about 128 metres (420 ft) above sea level and overlooks the sea. The Telugu name Toṭlakoṇḍa derived from the presence of a number of rock-cut cisterns hewn into the bedrock of the hillock. In 2019, the stupa was partially damaged due to monsoons, but it was restored by 2021 at the cost of Rs 42 lakh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nelakondapalli</span> Town in Telangana, India

Nelakondapally, also referred to as Nelakondapalli or Nela Kondapalli, is a town and headquarters of a mandal in Khammam district, Telangana, India. It is also an archaeological site important to early Buddhism and Hinduism, where excavations have discovered a major stupa site near an ancient manmade lake, another site where Buddhist and Hindu artwork were carved in pre-3rd century India, both sites also yielding hundreds of ancient rare coins with Shaiva and Vaishnava inscriptions from the dynasties of Andhra Ikshvakus and Vishnukundinas. Nelakondapally is also the birthplace of Bhakta Ramadasu.

Veluri Venkata Krishna Sastry was an archaeologist and historian in Andhra Pradesh, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bojjannakonda</span> Protected Buddhist monument in Andhra Pradesh, India

Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda are two Buddhism rock-cut caves on adjacent hillocks, situated near a village called Sankaram, Anakapalle of ancient Kalinga. in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The sites are believed to date between 4th and 9th Century A.D, when Buddhism is the majority religion of Sankaram. The original name of Bojjannakonda is Buddina Konda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kotturu Dhanadibbalu</span> Protected Buddhist Monument in Andhra Pradesh, India

Kotturu Dhanadibbalu & Pandavula Guha is an ancient Buddhist site near Kotturu village of Rambilli mandal Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. A post office is located at Kotturu Village with Pincode 531061

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bavikonda</span> Protected Buddhist monument complex in Andhra Pradesh, India

Bavikonda Buddhist Complex lies about 16 km from Visakhapatnam, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, on a hill about 130 metres above mean sea level. The term Bavikonda in Telugu means a hill of wells. As per its name, Bavikonda is a hill which has wells for the collection of rainwater. Bavikonda Monastic ruins dates back to the 3rd century BCE.

Neelavathi is a village and panchayat in Gantyada mandal of Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The Postal Pincode of Neelavathi village is 535215

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gudiwada Dibba, Vizianagaram</span> Documented Buddhist Site in Andhra Pradesh, India

Gudiwada Dibba is a small hillock at Gudiwada village in Bhogapuram mandal, Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh. It located on the banks of River Gosthani.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chandavaram Buddhist site</span> Archaeological site in Andhra Pradesh, India

Chandavaram Buddhist site is an ancient Indian Buddhist site in Chandavaram village in Prakasam district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Situated on the bank of Gundlakamma River, the site is 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) northwest of Donakonda railway station. The Chandavaram Buddhist site was built between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE during the Satavahana dynasty and was discovered by Veluri Venkata Krishna Sastry in 1964.

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.