Bavikonda & Thotlakonda, India

Books by
Usha Alexander

Books by
Namit Arora

Thotlakonda & Bavikonda, Andhra Pradesh, India (Dec 2022)

"Thotla" means trough and "Konda" means hill. The site is called Thotlakonda (Hills of Cisterns) owing to the nine rock-cut cisterns found on the hill. "These cisterns were used to store the rain water for drinking purpose. The excavations conducted at the site brought to light a monastic complex comprising of a Mahastupa, Votive stupas, Silamandapa, Viharas and stone pathways, Roman and Satavahana coins, Brahmi inscriptions, fragments of stone railing, miniature stupas and sculptural panels depicing Buddhapadas and sherds of red ware, dateble to the period between the 3rd century B C. to the 3rd century CE. The site commands a panoramic view of the sea, i.e. Bay of Bengal. There are stone steps from the foot of the hillock to the site from Mangamaripeta Village." (source)

Bavikonda flourished between 3rd Century BCE and 3rd Century CE. "A Hinayana School of Buddhism was practiced here [in a site] around 15 acres of flat terraced area. The discovery of relic caskets in the maha stupa during the excavation is significant. The caskets contained large quantity of ash, charcoal, bone and earthenware which probably were remains of Gautama Buddha. Excavations on the hill-top brought to light an extensive establishment consisting of a Mahastupa embedded with six relic caskets, circular and apsidal chaitya grihas. Also revealed were a vihara complex, stone stupa, votive stupas, a large congregation platform, dining hall and dressed stone pathways. An important find is a Buddhapada slab depicted with Ashtamangala symbols now displayed in the Visakha Museum. [Also] recovered were Satavahana lead coins, Roman silver coins, fragments of Brahmi label inscriptions. Bavikonda lay along the ancient trade route which connected Andra Desa with Northern India through Kalinga. The discovery of Roman Sliver coins and Satavahana lead coins indicate maritime trade with Rome. Archaeologists, led by a shepherd, came upon this site in 1982 when doing a survey of the area." (source)

Thotlakonda

Near the entrance