Bojjannakonda
Encyclopedia
Bojjannakonda and Lingalakonda are two Buddhist
sites which exist on adjacent hillocks near a village called Sankaram. It is located at about 45 km from Vishakhapatnam and just a few kilometers from Anakapalle
. The sites are believed to date between 4th and 9th Century A.D, that was when at Sanakaram (Sangharam as it was called then) when the 3 phases of Buddhism (Hinayana
, Mahayana
, and Vajrayana
) flourished.
in meditating poses. The cave is entered by a doorway and is flanked on each side by huge dwarapalas. The cave chamber is rectangular in shape and is divided into 20 compartments by four cross rocks of 16 massive pillars. In the centre is the rock-cut stupa standing on a square platform. The cave has a majestic figure of Buddha in bhoomisparsa meditation posture.
The main stupa is rock cut and is encased in brick work. A series of brick built viharas, chaitya and cells for monk
s are located on Bojjannakonda hill. The ridge of Lingalakonda consists of large number of rock-cut stupas. As Buddhism began to spread, many learning centres and aramas for the monks were set up in various regions. They can also be seen at Thotlakonda
, Bavikonda, Pavuralakonda at Vishakhapatnam. They all flourished around 2 millennia back, but then gradually faded out, probably due to the revival of Hinduism
.
A number of coins, statues of sitting Buddhas were found during the excavations in 1907. Bojjana Konda attracts many Buddhist pilgrims from several countries, especially during Buddha Poornima (Vaisakha Poornima).
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
sites which exist on adjacent hillocks near a village called Sankaram. It is located at about 45 km from Vishakhapatnam and just a few kilometers from Anakapalle
Anakapalle
Anakapalle is a town and Municipality in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, a state in India.The Anakapalle town is famous for its jaggery market. Its market is ranked second in India in terms of jaggery imports/exports. Anakapalle is also a very busy and famous business center in this...
. The sites are believed to date between 4th and 9th Century A.D, that was when at Sanakaram (Sangharam as it was called then) when the 3 phases of Buddhism (Hinayana
Hinayana
Hīnayāna is a Sanskrit and Pāli term literally meaning: the "Inferior Vehicle", "Deficient Vehicle", the "Abandoned Vehicle", or the "Defective Vehicle". The term appeared around the 1st or 2nd century....
, Mahayana
Mahayana
Mahāyāna is one of the two main existing branches of Buddhism and a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice...
, and Vajrayana
Vajrayana
Vajrayāna Buddhism is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayāna, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and the Diamond Vehicle...
) flourished.
Features
The sites consist of many monolithic stupas, rock cut caves and other structural remains. Of the many caves, four are considered to be sanctuaries, three contain relief sculptures of BuddhaBuddha
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
in meditating poses. The cave is entered by a doorway and is flanked on each side by huge dwarapalas. The cave chamber is rectangular in shape and is divided into 20 compartments by four cross rocks of 16 massive pillars. In the centre is the rock-cut stupa standing on a square platform. The cave has a majestic figure of Buddha in bhoomisparsa meditation posture.
The main stupa is rock cut and is encased in brick work. A series of brick built viharas, chaitya and cells for monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
s are located on Bojjannakonda hill. The ridge of Lingalakonda consists of large number of rock-cut stupas. As Buddhism began to spread, many learning centres and aramas for the monks were set up in various regions. They can also be seen at Thotlakonda
Thotlakonda
Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex Lies about 15 km from Visakhapatnam city on the way to Bheemili town on a hill about 128 mts. Above Mean Sea Level overlooking the sea. The telugu name Thotlakonda derived from the presence of a number of a rock-cut throughs hewn in the bedrock of the hillock...
, Bavikonda, Pavuralakonda at Vishakhapatnam. They all flourished around 2 millennia back, but then gradually faded out, probably due to the revival of Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
.
A number of coins, statues of sitting Buddhas were found during the excavations in 1907. Bojjana Konda attracts many Buddhist pilgrims from several countries, especially during Buddha Poornima (Vaisakha Poornima).