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Home » Buddhism Detinations in India » Buddhist Sites in Andhra Pradesh
Buddhist Sites in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is one of the states of India which houses Buddhist remnants and most of the Buddhist sites have been renovated. It is said that Buddhism had been settled in Andhra Pradesh during the second and third centuries. The largest monolithic statue of Buddha is situated in middle of the Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the Hyderabad city. Among the Buddhist sites, the most visited and known Buddhist sites in the state are Nagarjuna Konda (near Nagarjun Sagar), Amravati, Anupa and Thotlakonda. The archeological monuments excavated at Nagarjuna Sagar and other sites tell the root of Buddhism in the region.
The famous Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh are :
Nagarjuna Konda :A land of Buddhist monument, Nagarjuna Konda is about 150 kms from the Hyderabad city. The Buddhist excavations of Nagarjuna sagar draw the attention of the Buddhist tourists. This is earlier known as Vijayapuri and it is named after a Buddhist monk Nagarjuna who was the leader of the sangha at this place around 2nd century AD. Fascinated by the cool beauty of the place Buddhist monks founded their sangha here. Apart from the Buddhist excavations, the tallest masonry dam of the world, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is also an attraction to the tourists.
Nagarjuna Konda was once the centre of the Buddhist universities and monasteries. The site was discovered in 1926. While touring Nagarjuna Konda one will see the remnants of stupas, viharas, chaityas and mandapas along with white marble carvings and sculptures which depict the life of the Buddha. The relics are preserved in the museum of the Nagarjuna Konda Island. The main attractions are the Mahachaitya stupa, a monolithic stupa of Buddha.
Anupu :
The Buddhist site Anupa is about 4 kms away from the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir and located on the right bank of the reservoir. This site is visited by the Buddhist tourists as it houses a renovated replica of Buddhist University which was excavated during the construction of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.
It is said that Acharya Nagarjuna founded the major Buddhist learning centre and preached Mahayana Buddhism here. Anupa now houses a sample of a Buddhist University which houses class rooms, teacher’s room, lecture hall and an amphi theater.
Amravati :
Amravati is one of the famous Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in Andhra Pradesh located at a distance of 65 kms away from Vijayawada. The main attractions are the ruins of 2000 years old Buddhist monuments and the great Amravati Buddhist Stupa. Buddhism was spread into Amravati due to the influence brought by the Kushanas of Mathura. The Great Stupa of Amravati is larger than the Sanchi Stupa. It is said that an envoy of Emperor Ashoka spread Buddhism at Amravati. The stupa is now preserved in the Government Museum of Chennai.
