Guntupalli Buddhist Monuments, Andhra Pradesh, India

Books by
Usha Alexander

Books by
Namit Arora

Guntupalli Buddhist Complex, Andhra Pradesh, India (Dec 2022)

Guntupalli contains fine specimens of Buddhist architecture from the 3rd–2nd century BCE to 5th–6th century CE (source). Discovered in the 19th century, part of the site lies upon a flat hilltop surrounded by a thick forest, with pathways to at least three clusters of cave dwellings of varying quality for resident monks. The most finely wrought caves forged a timbered look in stone and even had windows, terraces, and verandas (it's likely that junior monks had the simpler caves). Important monuments located here are: a rock cut temple or Vritta Chaitya, a large and a small monastery, a brick chaitya on an elevated platform with a stupa inside, a ruined mandapa, and a stone stupa amid many votive stupas. Remains of finely carved marble pillars on site suggest more impressive architectural features. The Vritta Chaitya has been turned into a living Shiva temple—the stupa is treated like a Shivaling, a Nandi statue has been installed outside, and regular puja is offered by the locals. The site seems to be off the beaten track; the two of us were the only visitors during the morning we spent there.

Entrance to the Guntupalli
complex, few visitors