Bojjana Konda: A Rock cut Marvel amongst the Green Fields

Remnants of Buddhism found in Andhra Pradesh are one of the largest pieces of evidence of habitation during that era. Bojjana Konda Buddhist caves are evidences of our glorious past.

Bojjana Konda Source: Wikipedia

The state of Andhra Pradesh never ceases to amaze us with its never-ending attractions. It has some incredible rock-cut beauties. The village of Sankaram is home to the Bojjana Konda Buddhist Heritage Site.

In the district of Anakapalle, a little village named Sankaram is located approximately a mile to the east of Anakapalli. A few miles to the north of the settlement lie the Bojjannakonda Hills, which are encircled by paddy fields. The hills are home to numerous monolithic stupas, rock-cut caves, chaityas, and monasteries, making them one of Andhra Pradesh's most impressive Buddhist sites from the fourth to the ninth century CE.

The Maha stupa's rock-cut platforms are surrounded by a group of monolithic stupas on Bojjana Konda. Brick was used in the stupa's dome's construction. This site's unique characteristic is that it includes information on the Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana schools of Buddhism.

This stupa is surrounded by clusters of miniature chaityas and stupas. Stone relic caskets in the shape of miniature stupas have been discovered in two of the stupas. According to archaeological accounts, a statue of the goddess Hariti can be seen at the base of the hill.

Two thousand years ago, Buddhist monks used to worship on the hill. It was formerly known as Buddhuni Konda (the Buddha's hill), but over time it evolved to be known as Bojjannakonda. Here at Bojjannakonda, Vaisakha Pournami is also observed on a large scale.

It is necessary to take a stroll through Bojjana Konda's grounds in order to get a glimpse of a long-gone and nearly unheard-of era. Although there aren't many things to do there, you'll leave with a head full of knowledge after only one visit. You'll be astounded by how amazing history can be, even though it was written two thousand years ago.

There are six rock-cut caves on this hill, some of which feature sculptured panels. The majority of panels feature a seated Buddha and his followers. One large cave contains a monolithic stupa in the centre and has sixteen pillars, five of which are damaged. It is surrounded by a ‘pradakshina-patha’. A carving of a chhatra, or umbrella, that was once attached to the stupa's top but has lost its shaft since then, can be found on the stupa's ceiling. There is an extra floor with Buddha statues above this cave.

Pottery, seals, clay tablets with writing on them, terracotta beads, and terracotta figures were also discovered. Only one lead coin was found, along with some copper coins that belonged to the Eastern Chalukya monarch Vishnuvardhana and one gold coin that belonged to Samudra Gupta of the Gupta Dynasty. It may be a later Satavahana because it gives off the idea of a horse. The Buddhist colony in this location can be dated to the second to the ninth century A.D. based on the evidence of these antiquities. This is because one of the earliest coins found at the site dates to the fourth century AD and is from Samudra Gupta.

Buddha Statue Source: Vizagtourism

Rock-cut stupas Source: Vizagtourism