
How to reach:
Located
75 Kms from Ongole.
A major Buddhist site has been excavated here
on a hillock , known locally as Singarakonda , rising beside the
Gundlakaa rivulet.
A unique double terraced stupa on the hilltop , perhaps the only
one of its kind in south India , is reminiscent of the famous Dharajaka
stupa at Taxila. The hude dome was embellished with 9 feet high
beautifully carved limestone panels , which were adorned with symbols
of the stupa , Bodhi tree and Dharmachakra .
In the vicinity , lie the ruins of a monastic complex. This comprises
of a Maha Chaitya with a dome 1.6 meters high & a drum 60 cms wide
, a threewinged vihara , resembling the Aparasailia monastery at
Nagarjunakonda , with a pillered mandapa and two apsidal Chaityagrihas
facing each other at the entrance. The vestiges of two other monasteries
can also still be seen. A museum at the site houses important sculptures
and other relics such as coins , black and red ware and inscriptions
in the Brahmi script dating back to the century B.C.
|