Taking you back in time : For Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh

Think Andhra Pradesh and the Charminar, Golconda Fort, Mecca Masjid, the Birla Temple, Sri.Venkateshwara Tempe at Tirupati are some of the first few things that come to your mind - apart from its exquisite gardens & lakes!
But did you know that Andhra Pradesh is also home to some interesting and ancient Buddhist sites featuring stupas and viharas as perfect as the ones in Sanchi? While excavations here suggest that there are over 144 such sites across the states, some such important Buddhist sites include Adurru(Dubaraju Gudi),  Chandavaram Buddhist site, Dhulikatta, Amravati, Nagarjuna Konda and Sankaram.

Dating back to the 3^rd century AD, Nagarjuna Sagar named after Acharya Nagarjuna, a renowned Buddhist scholar and philosopher, is one of S. India’s most visited Buddhist destinations today. It was also an important Buddhist learning centre, and once the capital of Ikshvaku kingdom.

While excavations here first started in 1926 when Buddhist monuments were discovered, it was only during the construction of the Nandikonda Project in 1950 that an ancient Buddhist site was found submerged under the waters. Extensive excavations revealed monasteries, chaityas, viharas, mandapams, and a university dating back to the time of the Buddha. The Mahachaitya found here is considered most sacred of all as it is believed to preserve some sacred remains of Lord Buddha. The remains once excavated were shifted and preserved in the Nagarjuna Konda Buddhist Site in the open air museum. A mention must also be made of the monolithic statue of Lord Buddha one of the major attractions in Nagarjuna Konda.

Anupa, 4 kms from Nagarjuna Konda is where the Buddhist University and Stadium excavated at Nagarjunasagar, have been reconstructed.

Also known as Dhanyakataka, Amravati located on the right bank of the Krishna River is home to not just one of the oldest but also the largest stupa in India, and is considered one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrim centres here. Today relics from there are seen in the Chennai Museum and in the British Museum, London.

Located on the west banks of the Vaintaya branch of Godavari River, Adurru also known as Dubaraju Gudi  is a must visit for Buddhist pilgrims. Archaeological excavations carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1953 have revealed remains of Stupas, Viharas and Chaityas..However the main attraction here is the Mahastupa, shaped like a giant wheel that is 17 feet in diameter. Also found during these excavations were jars, dishes, bowls etc.

Ghantasala is also of known for its remnants of a Buddhist stupa, sculptural blocks and a museum on the site displaying a collection of Buddhist statues and other limestone panels.

Heading towards Visakhapatnam, pilgrims can find many more important Buddhist sites, Bayikonda, being one such centre where the Hinayana school of Buddhism was practiced. It is said the Bavikonda Monastery once flourished here. A Mahachaitya found here is of special significance - a bone recovered from an Urn here is believed to be the mortal remains of the Buddha. Also found here is a Buddhist complex with three water tanks.

Another Buddhist site about 16Kms from Visakhapatnam, is Thotlakonda also an important Buddhist centre; here one can find it all from Stupas to Chaityagrihas. Located 40 m from Vizag is Bojjannakonda, a 2000 year old Buddhist heritage site, famous for its rock cut caves and numerous monumental stupas, pottery, coins dating back to the 1^st century AD, and other relics featuring Buddha.

At Lingalakonda, one can find several rock-cut monolithic stupas in rows all over the hill. Another Maha stupa found here comprised of 3 chaitya halls, stupas, sculptures, and a casket bearing historical objects. A gold coin dating back to the 4^th century AD, Samudragupta was also found here.  It is believed that the Vihara was active for about 1000 years, spanning various phases of Buddhism.

Taking you back in time is Pavuralakonda also known as ‘the hill of the pigeons’ about 24 km from Vizag, with the Buddhist settlement here dating back to the 1^stcentury BC.

Finding its mention in Megasthanes’ travel account, the Indica, Dhulikatta is also a major Buddhist site with stupas dating back to the 2^nd century BC and the Satavahana period. The various relics found here include ivory combs, gold objects, Roman and Satavahana coins, beads, storage jars, bowls, vessels and more. Also found here is a exquisitely carved ivory seal in the shape of a cup on a pedestal with an inscription which reads “Ajani Siriya Game Kumariya.”

Another Buddhist site that dates back to the 1^st century AD is Sankaram, where statues, stupas and structures of Lord Buddha were found. Apart from rock cut sculptures, some ancient brick structures and caves are also found here. Here too Saravahana coins, pots and other primeval items have been excavated. A 4^thcentury AD gold plated coin belonging to King Samudragupta and an idol of Lord Buddha in sitting posture are the two significant attractions of the place.

Sankaram boasts of a series of caves nearly 100 years old that used to house Buddhist monks and their pupils. Another Buddhist settlement dating back to the 1^st AD is Ramatirtham.

Dantapuram is the place with a stupa that housed a tooth remains of the Buddha, the same has now been sent to Srilanka.

Located 150 km from Vijayawada, Chandavaram houses a rare double storeyed stupa. Guntupali is also one of the most beautiful Buddhist sites located atop a hill while Gopalapatnam is an interesting village surrounded by stupas, viharas and other remains.

Many studies prove that Buddhism has spread from here to the Far East countries such as China, Japan and Sri Lanka. Important not just for religious importance but also offering pilgrims and tourists a glimpse into the rich Buddhist heritage and culture, these sites in Andhra Pradesh certainly feature as a must visit!

The ‘Pride of the Deccan’ – Hyderabad!

So beautiful it’s often referred to as the ‘Pride of the Deccan’, Hyderabad one of India’s most spectacular cities known for its magnificent monuments, Mughal gardens, dazzling lakes, and more. Lending an air of romance to the city is the interesting legend related to its foundation. It’s said that a young prince Muhammad Quli fell madly in love with Bhagmati, a maiden from Chichlam vil, a village across the river Musi. On ascending the throne, he built the Charminar there and renamed the village Bhagnagar (meaning good fortune) after his beloved, this city later came to be called Hyderabad.

A city known for its spectacular beauty, Hyderabad is any backpacker’s delight! Standing out on its must visit list includes prominent monuments like the Charminar, also referred to as ’The Arc de triomphe of the East’.  A masterpiece, this monument reflects the grandeur of the Qutub Shabi Dynasty, and is known for its Indo Islamic architecture replete with grand arches and exquisite minarets.

An impregnable fort, the Golconda Fort is a marvelous piece of military architecture, known for its bastions, gateways, ramparts, palaces, temples, mosques and more. One of India’s most famous forts its structure was built in such a way that it could face any known artillery attack of the 17^th century.  It’s said the famous “Kohinoor” diamond was taken from the Golconda Fort. Here tourists can catch up on the sound and light show explaining the fort’s history and grandeur.

A little distance away from the fort lies the Qutub Shahi Tombs, of the seven Qutub Shahi Kings that ruled Hyderabad. A mix of Indo Persian Pathan and Hindu architectural styles, these tombs are situated amidst well maintained gardens and are some of the city’s oldest monuments. Despite the ravages of time these tombs have maintained their original glory that says a lot about the architecture.  It also forms the backdrop of the annual Deccan festival that showcases talent of artists from various fields.

A land of kings and royalty, Hyderabad has its share of palaces, namely the Falaknuma Palace, the Chawmahalla Palace, Basheer Bagh Palace, Hill Fort Palace,King Kothi Palace, Asman Garh Palace, Paigah Palace, Mahboob mansion, Sardar Mahal, Purani Haveli… Each more exquisite than the other, known for their exquisite architecture, lavish rooms, treasures that include sculptures, portraits and paintings, rare manuscripts, antique books and more, they reflect Hyderabad’s glorious past.

Of the several places of worship here one standing out from others is the Mecca Masjid known for its stunning architecture. Also located barely 100 meters from the Charminar, it is one of the oldest mosques in India, with brick used for its arch brought from the holy city of Mecca. Other important mosques here include the Begumpet Mosque, Todi Masjid.

Of temples here the Sri Venkateshwara Temple also known as ‘Birla Mandir’ is one of the most beautiful temples of S. India. Made of white marble brought from Rajasthan, against the backdrop of the Hussain Sagar Lake and built atop the Kala Pahad, one can get a magnificent view of the city from here. But what is more beautiful here are the exquisitely carved marble statues depicting scenes from the Mahabharata. Other famous temples here include the Balaji Temple at Chilkur,Darbar Maisamma Temple and the Katta Maisamma Temple.

Home to many museums, while the Salar Jung Museum is one of the oldest museums here known for its extensive and rich collection of arts from across the world, Should we say a visit to the BM Birla Science Centre and Archaeological Museum and Birla Planetarium can be described as simply ‘out of this world?!’ While the Purani Haveli now converted into a museum houses some personal belongings and mementoes of the Nizams.  The State Archaeological Museum is another very interesting museum of relics belonging to ancient and medieval, coins from various ages, even an Egyptian mummy.

Not only adding to the beauty of the city but also providing recreational entertainments with water sports such as para sailing, boating etc, are the many lakes the city is home to. While the Hussain Sagar Lake with one of the world’s tallest statues of the Buddha is probably the most noted Lake of the city, other lakes here include the Osman Sagar Lake, Himayat Sagar Lake, Secret Lake and Mir Alam Tank.

No mention of Hyderabad is complete without a mention of its exquisite gardens, complete with fountains and other water bodies. While the landscaping in the Indra Park is spectacular, Sanjeevaiah Park is known for its rare and multi-colored roses and Public Garden for its toy train, the KBR National Park for its various species of birds found here, the Mrugavani National Park and Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park for its wildlife, and last but not the least the Nehru Zoological Park for over 250 species of animals and birds.
Hitec city is also now fast joining in the list of tourist attractions here. Though situated on the outskirts of the city, it showcases modern Hyderabad as one of India’s latest IT destinations.

A foodies and shopaholics dream come true, Hyderabadi cuisine is simply out of this world! While no trip to Hyderabad is complete without ‘biryani’ and ‘kebabs’, also try its other scrumptious dishes like Haleem, Paaya, Hyderabadi Kheema and top it off with the famous faloodas and firni available here!

While Hyderabad has been nicknamed the ‘city of pearls’, pearls is just one of the items that should find its way into your shopping list! From bidriware, to banjara mirror works… lac bangles to puppets or kondapalli toys and yes pearls… Hyderabad is the place to shop for it all as well as handlooms, pochampalli and venkatgiri sarees and kalamkari, ikat fabrics. Must visit shopping areas here include Basheerbagh-Abids-Nampally, Hyderabad’s most prominent shopping area, while Begum Bazaar, Mozaam Jahi Market, Charminar-Patthargatti-Lad Bazaar are other noted shopping areas here.

A city that has it all, from a wide range of stunning monuments, exquisite gardens and lakes, to rich culture and heritage, and who can forget delectable cuisine & enjoyable shopping, Hyderabad is a dream destination that truly deserves the nickname bestowed upon it  the ‘Pride of the Deccan!