Bavikonda Ancient Buddhist Monastery — Attraction in Andhra Pradesh

The Buddhist site, Bavikonda lies at a distance of 16 kms away from Visakhapatnam city along the Bheemli beach road. Excavations conducted at the site during the 1982-87 field seasons on the hill ltop brought to light an extensive Buddhist Arama, consisting of a Mahachaitya enshrined with relic caskets, a vihara complex, votive stupas, a silamandapa and a refectory. The Mahachaitya at Bavikonda is an imposing structure, erected on the northern side of the vihara complex. It has four entrance ways (2mts x 4.30mts) on the four cardinal points and provided with a lower pradakshinapatha, (3mts wide), a circular drum with ayaka platforms, an upper pradakshinpatha (1.50mts) and a hemispherical anda. Half moon shaped steps in brick were provided at the entrance ways, leading to the lower pradakshinapatha. Connecting these entrances, was raised an outer railing in brick (0.50 mt high), seen in five courses. The floor space of the entrance-ways and the pradakshinapathas was laid with lime concrete, with a smooth finish. The drum is reached by a flight of steps, attached to the brick, ayaka platforms. The brick walls of the structures were plastered with lime. The extant dome was raised to a height of 2.25 mts. Containing 12 courses of bricks and measuring a dia of 16.50 mts. The hollow space inside the dome was filled with rubble and red earth. The bricks used in the construction of the chaitya measured 57 x 27 x 7 cms and 50 x 25 x 7 cms. The entire monastic complex was conserved and restored for the benefit of visitors. In association with these structures were recovered, a Satavahana lead coin, three Roman silver coins, fragments of Brahmi lable inscriptions and Buddhapada slabs, decorated with astamangala symbols, datable to the period between the 3rd century B.C. and the 3rd...

BHAVIKONDA MONASTRY is famous Buddhist Monastry belonging to Buddhism ( Hinayana sect) .. This monastry is supposed to be one of the wonders of the world actually . Buddhist monks lived in this monastry about 2000 years back . This monastry is situated on Beach road in Vizag. This place was discovered by a Shephard about 40 years back .. Youve got ample free parking .. The entrance place is free .. Very educative place to visit for both the kids and elders .. Youve got outstanding sceneries/views out here and can take breathtaking pictures from this monastry .. The Buddhist monks medidated and studied here last 2000 years back .. The amazing thing about this place is all the monuments are intact after weathering 2000 years of different cimatic seasons.. Its a pity that we donot give much of importance to such priceless monuments in India .. If this place was in a foreign country we wud have to pay atleast 20-30 dollars just for entrance .. and also this monument wud definitely be treated in a...

A must-visit for history lovers.

The road leading to the site (which is atop a hill) was full of vegetation (huge tree branches …) narrowing the path significantly — definitely in need of some maintenance. There’s some space to park your vehicle just outside the site’s entrance.

The site, per se, is a marvel of those days! Those familiar with Buddhism and history would be able to appreciate it in its entirety. However, the site needs upkeep — more information boards, proper gates, and personnel. I spotted a few visitors walking on the ancient structures; although I asked them not to, there’s clearly a need for security personnel.

Thotlakonda, on the other hand, was very well maintained.

Hope the Archaeology...