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:: ANDHRA PRADESH - BUDDHIST CENTRES

Adurru(Dubaraju Gudi), Adurru : Adurru is located near Nagaram in Razole taluk of East Godavari district. The village lies on the west bank of the Vainetaya, a branch of Godavari river 9.5 km. from the sea.

The mound is locally known as Dubaraju Gudi. Archaeological Survey of India conducted excarations in 1953 and brought to light, remains of stupas, chaityas and

vinaras among which the Mahastupa, built on wheel shaped plan 17 feet in diameter with a raised platform running all round the drum and ayaka platforms on cardinal directions. The Buddhist remnants spread across an area of approximately 2.04 acres.

Chandavaram Buddhist site, Chandavaram : Chandavaram is located on the right bank of the river Gundla Kamma in Pakasam district.There is a very interesting stupa constructed on elevated terrace which is the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh and stands next to Sanchi Stupa, in elegance.

Dhulikatta : The Buddhist stupa and vihara found here were constructed during the last quarter of 2nd century BC on a prominent mound. The stupa was enlarged with addition of ayaka platforms and embellishment on the drum with more than limestone slabs carved with representations of stupa and Muchilinda Naga.

Associated with the structures, punch marked Satavahana and Roman coins, ivory combs, seals, silver portrait coin of Pulumar, beads and bangles, terracota figurines etc. were discovered.

Nagarjuna Konda, Nagarjunasagar : Following the discovery of the site in 1926 by A.R.Saraswathi, the site was excavated and a number of Buddhist monuments were brought to light. Nagarjuna konda again assumed importance in 1950s when the construction of Nandikonda Project was conceived as a result of which the valley was to be converted into a reservoir. In order to salvage the remains from submergence due to construction of the dam across the Krishna, extensive excavations were carried out for a period of about seven years starting from 1954.

Sankaram : The Buddhist ruins are located on the contiguous hills locally known as Bojjanakonda and Lingalametta consist of numerous monolithic stupas, caves and structural buildings.

The Statue of Lord Buddha, Hyderabad : The Buddha statue has been placed on the rock of Gibraltar in the placid waters of the Hussain Sagar. It is the tallest standing monolith of 72 feet, erected as a part of the Buddha Poornima project in 1985.

The monolithic statue was chiselled out of a white granite rock, weighting 450 tons.It was carved by 200 sculptors for two years. The statue was transported to Hyderabad in November 1988.After the initial problems, the statue was erected on 12th April 1992 on a pedestral. Attached to it , Lumbini park was inaugurated with musical fountains, Bonsai Plants and a boat ride from Lumbini Park to the Buddha Statue. The whole atmosphere reflects peace and persevence. A visit to Buddha statue by boat is a memorable experience.