Bavikonda Ancient Buddhist Monastery

Buddhism is one of the oldest religions in the world, originating about a thousand years ago. Lord Buddha, the founder of the religion, believed in peace and prosperity which were essentially the principles of the religion. Birthing in India, the remnants of the religion’s glorious past still exists and one of these is the Bavikonda Ancient Buddhist Monastery.

The complex is one of the biggest marks of evidence that talk about the rich history of Buddhism. If you want to explore more about the religion make sure you visit Bavikonda in Andhra Pradesh, India. If you want to know more about the mystical locations and fall in love with discovering the hidden charm of the monastery, then make sure you visit the Bavikonda Buddhist Complex.

History of Bavikonda Ancient Buddhist Monastery

The Buddhist monasteries of India were evacuated due to Muslim invasions, the precise date of which is unknown, though this was confirmed based on archaeological studies held by the British in 1906. The ancient Bavikonda Buddhist Monastery was built around the 3rd century BCE. According to the excavations done at the site, several items helped in calculating the age of the complex.

Out of the remains that were found here, the most important one is an urn that contains a piece of bone that is supposed to be a part of Lord Buddha. There were several inscriptions found all around the complex. Pots, caskets, tiles, and coins were also recovered from the site by the Archaeological Department.

Now the area is under the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage and they ensure better protection of such Buddhist sites. Bavikonda along with Thotlakonda, Pavuralakonda, and Bojjannakonda have been declared UNESCO heritage sites.

Architecture of Bavikonda Ancient Buddhist Monastery

The Bavikonda Buddhist Monastery is an old and sacred site in the Indian subcontinent. The name of the place refers to the numerous wells that can be found all around the area. The complex is spread over a large area, consisting of a few hills where you can find quite a few stupas.

Different shrines, temples, and galleries can also be found around the complex. There are a total of 26 structures that can be found in Bavikonda. Based on their architectural style we can determine that the complex was built over three different stages. Along with the remains of kitchens and stores, lies the Bavikonda stupa which is also known as the Mahastupa. It is a shrine for Buddhists, which is round in shape and to this day remains in very good condition.

The complex also houses the historic Dagoba. This is a kind of stupa that is associated with the earthly remains of Lord Buddha. One of the caves that were carved out of a rock, houses a large statue of Buddha himself. A stairway leads down to the spot where the remains have been found. There were a total of 24 pillars and rooms inside the cave.