1. Heritage Sites in Capital Region (AMARAVATI)
KONDAPALLI FORT,
KONDAPALLI(V),
IBRAHIMPATNAM(M)
, KRISHNA DIST.
The Fort was built by Prolaya Vema Reddy in
the year 1360, 14th century
Apart from the fort, the place is a major
tourist attraction, and crafting of colourful
toys, called the Kondapalli toys.
The British took over the fort in 1766 and
converted into a military training base
The fort, which has a very picturesque sight,
has three successive entry gates. The main
entrance gate is called the ‘Dargha Darwaja’,
another entrance gate called the Golconda
darwaza. The fortified wall has towers and
battlements.
At the far end of the fort there is the Tanisha
Mahal or Palace, perched on a crest
between two hills. This palace when in good
shape had many chambers on the ground
floor and a huge hall on the upper floor.
There are several buildings still standing in
the fort, which are ruins
There is deep reservoir near the palace,
which is sourced by a spring.
There are numerous other water tanks in
the fort area, which go dry during the
summer months.
The Archeological Department of Andhra
Pradesh has undertaken restoration and
renovation works
GANDHI HILL,
VIJAYAWADA
Gandhi Hill was earlier known as the 'Orr
Hill'. It was named after Mahatma Gandhi
and is famous for the Gandhi Stupa, of
height 15.8 meter. The Gandhi Memorial
Stupas were built in 1968. The Gandhi Stupa
is accompanied by six more stupas that
made the first Gandhi Memorial of the
country.
The inspiring teachings of Mahatma Gandhi
are inscribed on the stone slabs of the
stupas.
The Gandhi Hill in Vijayawada houses the
Gandhi Memorial Library and planetarium.
A light and show program is organized every
evening after sundown relating stories from
the life of the great leader, Mahatma
Gandhi.
The Gandhi Hill also provides an expansive
view of the whole city of Vijayawada.
MOGALARAZAPURA
M CAVES,
VIJAYAWADA
PRAKSAM BARRAGE
There are total 5 caves on the hill
These are excavated on the southern face of
the hillock
The cave starts with a triple passage formed
by two massive pillars in the center.
The cornice running over them carries
dwarfish ganas with raised up hands.
On the backside there are representation of
garland bearers and a row of geese.
At the bottom of the pillar towards left
there is a representation of a Purnaghata.
With the three shrines in the back wall, the
sanctuary may be said to have been
dedicated to Trimurti.
The excavation is attributed to the
Visnukundin kings who ruled Vengi between
4th and 5th century AD
Prakasam Barrage is 1223.5 m long and was
completed in the year 1957.
The barrage was started in 1852 and
completed in 1855.
Later the State Government constructed a
new regulator cum-round bridge that was
named after Sri Tanguturi Prakasam, the first
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Completed in 1957 it helps irrigating over 12
lakh (1.2 Million) acres of land. One of the
first major irrigation projects of South India.
water level up to a minimum of 17.42
metres has to be maintained to facilitate the
passage of water into the cooling canal
which carries water to the thermal Power
plant at Ibrahimpatnam, with a capacity of
1,260 MWs (six units of 210 MWs each).
The barrage serves also as a road bridge and
spans over a panoramic lake. The three
canals associated with the barrage, run
through the city of Vijayawada criss crossing
it and giving it a Venetian appearance.
The barrage provides gorgeous view with
the shimmering lake.
it is the largest in the asian continent
Four pillars in the
ruined mandapam in
Jammidoddi,
Vijayawada
This four-pillared mandapa, originally
pertaining to Mallesvarasvami temple
compound at the foot of the Indrakila hill, is
now reconstructed near Akkanna cave.
This mandapa has exquisitely carved pillars
with corbels and lintels surmounted.
All round the plinth of the mandapa on its
exterior face there are beautiful sculptures
depicting stories from the Puranas.
The representations of mithunas in between
Puranic scenes are noteworthy.
These four artistic pillars of the mandapa
contain 43 valuable records, datable to 12th13 centuries AD.
One of these refers to a grant by a brotherin-law of the famous Kakatiya king
Ganapathi Deva.
INSCRIBED PILLAR
AND SLAB IN
MALLESVARASVAMI
TEMPLE,
VIJAYAWADA
The temple of Mallesvara, situated at the
foot of the Indrakila hill at Vijayawada.
There are 10 pillars in this temple, contain a
number of inscriptions in Telugu language
and script which supply us some interesting
accounts of the temple and the endowments
made to it, by the rulers of this locality from
9th to 16th centuries.
Of these the oldest and most important are
the inscriptions of the Eastern Chalukyan
kings Yudhamalla I (circa A.D. 890) and his
grandson Yuddhamalla II.
These pillars contains so many inscriptions
ranging in date from A.D. 890 to A.D. 1515
Which denotes various contributions/
endowments by various rulers like Gonturu
Nagadeva who describes himself as a Pallava
chief and Lord of Kanchipura, Koppula chief
Proli Nayudu, Bayapadeva Maharajulu of
Peda Vegi, Siramaya, a dancing girl,
Srigiribhakta, Chola-Patra, Yuddhamalla, the
Imperial Chola king Kulottunga Chola, and
Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara.
ON A MUTILATED SLAB DUG UP IN THE
COURTYARD OF THE TEMPLE: This
inscription on a mutilated slab dug up in the
courtyard of the temple belongs to the
reign of Palla-Keta-Bhupala and records an
endowment by him.
On a stone formerly built into the roof of the
Vignesvara shrine, now in the store-room.
This stone contains five inscriptions of which
four bear dates, Saka 1135, 1157, 1191 and
1209.
The first of the above inscriptions records a
donation by Kandradi Bhima Raja
KIRATARJUNA PILLAR
ON THE INDRAKILA
HILL, VIJAYAWADA
This pillar once on the top of the Indrakila
hill is now erected near the Akanna Cave.
This red stone pillar contains an inscription
datable to 9th century AD, which is engraved
on its two sides.
The two other sides of the pillar as also
portions of the written faces contain
sculptured scenes which illustrate story of
Kiratarjuniya of the Mahabharata in which
Arjuna is said to have fought with Siva
disguised as a hunter and after a severe
hand-to-hand contest Arjuna obtained the
weapon Pasupatha from Lord Siva.
The interesting inscription has to be read
from bottom to top.
It registers the setting up of the pillar by a
certain Trikotiboyi of Pechche (va) da.
It begins with a Sanskrit verse, which
consists of a string of synonyms of Arjuna.
Then follow a long prose passage in Sanskrit,
an imprecatory verse and the name of the
writer Vijayacharya in archaic Telugu
characters of about 9th century AD.
AKKANNA MADANNA
CAVES ON INDRAKILA
HILL, VIJAYAWADA
This caves consists of 1) a two celled shrine
facing the East and 2) a triple celled temple
with a pillared hall in front and Linga in the
middle Cell.
These caves and halls dedicated to Hindu
Gods and Goddesses, belonging to
Vishnukundins and Eastern Chalukyas that is
5th to 8th centuries AD like their Buddhist
counterparts.
An extensively cut-out triple shrines, known
locally as Akanna-Madanna caves or
mandapas, deserve specific mention.
It is of the usual ground plan with a triple
rear cells and a common pillared verandah in
front. There is absence of ornamental
moulding or carvings in these three shrines,
but the pillars are entirely octagonal in
section.
Besides the above lower cave shrines, there
is yet another cave temple unit towards
north on the same hill, in somewhat higher
levels of the hill. This cave temple seems to
be dedicated to the trinity- Brahma, Vishnu
and Siva.
VICTORIA JUBLEE
MUSEUM,
VIJAYAWADA
This is an archaeological museum located on
Bander Road of Vijayawada.
The museum is maintained by the
Archaeological department and has large
collection of sculptures, paintings and
artifacts of Buddhist & Hindu relics, with
some of them as old as 2nd and 3rd
Centuries.
The structure of building is an IndoEuropean style of architectural and is more
than a hundred years old structure.
The museum was created as part of the
celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of Queen
Victoria in 1887. Sri Pingali Venkayya
presented a tri-colour flag to Mahatma
Gandhi at this location in 1921.
A standing Buddha of white limestone of
Alluru(3rd–4th century), Lord Shiva and
Goddess Durga slaying the buffalo demon
Mahishasura (2nd century) can also found
here.
The museum has historical galleries, stone
cut writings, coins, swords, body armour,
shields, arms, ornamentation, etc., used by
kings
CHALLAPALLI FORT,
CHALLAPALLI(V&M),
KRISHNA DIST
The fort was constructed in the early 18th
century by the Raja of Challapalli, Srimanthu
Raja Yaralagadda Ankineedu Prasad
Bahadur.
Challapalli became the capital for the
Devarkota Estate and the town developed
around the palace.
It remains as a great example of Andhra
architecture to this very day.
The fort is still privately owned by the Royal
family and attracts visitors for its beautiful
architecture and well landscapes gardens.
The majestic pillars adorning the front of the
fort can be awe-inspiring.
From third floor of the fort, there is an
unobstructed view of the Maharani’s
Anthapuram, which is located adjacent to
the fort.
BUDDHIST STUPA &
MUSEUM,
GHANTASALA (V&M),
KRISHNA DIST.
Ghantasala is at 11 km east of river Krishna
and is around 60 km away from Vijayawada.
It is a rare and reputed canter
for Buddhist sculptures.
A Buddhist museum is an attraction here
Alexander Rea excavated the stupa at
Ghantasala, which had a circumference of
112 feet and a height of 23 feet.
Ghantasala was once a flourishing town of
Indo-Roman trade as well as an important
religious centre.
The Buddhist relics and the Hindu structures
at the place reveal its past glory.
Carved limestone columns belonging to
pillared halls associated with Buddhist
monastic establishments (2-3rd centuries
BC) have been discovered.
The ruined Maha Chaitya or stupa that was
excavated here is of a unique design. A cube
of solid bricks is set in the centre, inscribed
with 12 constellations of the zodiac.[2]
The chaityas had a texture and size unique
to the Satavahana times and had separate
dwelling places for Buddhist monks in the
complex.
A three-dimensional limestone carved
structure, embellished on the dome portion
of the stupa had two garland bearers, a
dhamma chakra and a miniature stupa on a
throne in the middle.
Objects such as a four-by-three-feet 'Purna
Kalasa' containing lotus flowers, indicating
the birth of Gautama Buddha were also
discovered.
KUCHIPUDI NATYA
KALA KSHETRAM,
KUCHIPUDI(V),KUCHI
PUDI(M), KRISHNA
DIST.
Siddhendra Yogi kala Kshetram, one of the
eight Schools of Potti Sreeramulu Telugu
University, is situated in Kuchipudi
The Kuchipudi Dance was evolved by
Siddhendra Yogi, dating back to 15th
century.
This architect of Kuchipudi Dance initiated
the local boys of Kuchipudi Village, situated
in KRISHNA District of Andhra Pradesh to
learn and perform his brainchild Bhama
Kalapam - an aesthetic, descriptive and
dramatic dance expression referred as
Prabandha Nartanam.
The Nawab of Golconda - Habul Hussan
Qutub Tanisha, moved by the performance,
gifted Kuchipudi Village and made it a
cultural center to pursue the art with peace
and harmony.
MOUND
CONTAINING
BUDDHIST REMAINS
AND ANCIENT
VILLAGE SITE:
GUDIVADA, KRSIHNA
DISTRICT
Nuzvid Fort Gate,
NUZIVID, KRISHNA
DISTRICT
MYLAVARAM FORT,
MYLAVARAM (V&M),
KRISHNA DIST
The place was in existence for over 2000
years and has been flourishing perpetually
from time to time of the Satavahanas.
As many of Buddhist sites, the mound
containing a Buddhist stupa was also
subjected to large-scale vandalism.
This stupa most has been of the same size as
that of Sanchi, the basal area being nearly
140 feet square.
As no traces of stone exist in the
neighbourhood it is supposed that the rail
might have been made of brick or wood.
Four stone receptacles each containing a
crystal reliquary was also found from this
stupa
It is considered to be one among the seven
Buddhist Stupas in the area
Nuzvid is a historical fortified town. It was
founded by Meka Basavanna, the chieftain
of Rani Rudrama Devi/Pratapa Rudra Deva
of Warangal Kakatiya dynasty in 1321 AD.
After the second attack of Delhi ruler,
Mohammad bin Tughlak to Kakatiya ruler of
Pratapa Rudra, he was defeated and caught
by Tughlak.
At that moment the chieftains were
separated and migrated to different places.
Some went to Bobbili. Some established
themselves at Nuzvid.
At that period they cultivated the nuvvulu
(Seasom) Crops. The place was first named
as nuchela veedu, gradually changing to
nujelaveedu and after British rule to Nuzvid.
The first English-Telugu dictionary was
prepared by Sankaranarayana with the
financial help of Nuzvid Rajahs
Mylavaram has a rich history of Zamindari
ancestry which has contributed immensely
for rural upliftment.
Shri. S.V. Sudhakara Rao, Chairman &
Founder Family member of Sri Venkateswara
Swamy vari Devasthanam, Dwaraka
Tirumala, W.G. District; a scion of the
erstwhile Mylavaram Rajas.
Mylavaram is famous for its rich culture and
heritage in the pre-independence days.
Zamindars of mylavaram are lovers of art.
Ancient site and
remains comprised in
survey plot No. 37,
Munagcherla(V),
Nandigama(M),
Krishna Dist..
Ancient site with the
mound marking the
Buddhist Stupas,
ALLURU,
VEERULAPADU(M),
KRISHNA DIST.
Till today the fort of Mylavaram exists in the
heart of the town. The current Scion, Shri.
S.V. Sudhakara Rao still resides in the very
same Fort along with his 2 sons & their
families
The site was in continues occupation from
3rd to 16th century AD
The surface collections and the trial digs at
the site have yielded pottery of black, red,
black and red wares of early historical period
similar to those found at Nagarjunakonda
and Amaravati sites.
The other antiquities found at the site
include beads of jasper and other semi
precious stones of various shapes.
The site is also containing Grey ware of
medieval date and multicolour glass bangles
of late medieval date.
The village of Alluru, in district Krishna, is
known for its Buddhist remains since 1926.
The antiquity of the site goes back atleast to
circa 2nd century A.D.
The brick stupa unearthed here is wheelshaped on plan with a circular solid hut and
spokes and tyre the hollowed sixteen cells
filled with earth and bricks.
The drum has a diameter of 23.37 meters
and survived to a height of 2.65 mtr.
It had four ayaka pillars at the cardinal
projections of the drum each 4.46 in length
and 61 cm wide.
A stone pillared mandapa also existed. A
limestone inscribed pillar with half-lotus
medallions lies in the compound of the Siva
temple.
A standing life size Buddha of this place is
now exhibited in the Victoria Jubilee
Museum, Vijayawada.
Three more smaller images from this place
are in Site Museum, Amaravati.
The other associated finds from the stupa
include carved casing slabs and a stucco
head etc.
An inscription on the octogal pillar, dated in
the 8th regnal year of Ehavula Chantamula,
records the erection of Selakhambha by
Venhusiri, resident of Halur
UNDAVALLI CAVES ,
TADEPALLI(M),
GUNTUR DISTRICT
These caves were carved out of
solid sandstone on a hillside in the 4th to
5th centuries A.D.
There are several caves and the best
known largest one has four stories with a
huge recreated statue of Vishnu in a
reclining posture, sculpted from a single
block of granite inside the second floor.
The main cave is one of the earliest
examples of Gupta architecture, primarily
primitive rock-cut monastery cells carved
into the sandstone hills.
Initially the caves were shaped as a Jain
abode and the first floor abode still retains
the Jain style; the vihara exhibits Jain
monastics and
includes tirthankara sculptures. The caves
are associated with the Jain kings of 420 to
620 A.D.
This first level of the cave is a
carved vihara and includes Buddhist art
work.. The site served as
the Bhikkhu monastic complex during
ancient period.
The walls of the caves display sculptures
carved by skilled craftsmen
FOUR STOREYED
ROCK CUT HINDU
TEMPLE, UNDAVALLI
, TADEPALLI(M),
GUNTUR DISTRICT
An impressive four storeyed rock-cut
temple with façade facing east about 29 m
long, 16m wide;’
Its construction was probably commenced
in the 6th – 7th century AD.
Ground floor is an unfinished low pillared
hall with 8 pillars and 7 door openings on
façade.
First storey accommodates triple shrine
(now empty) at back, each with pillared
hall in front, originally dedicated to the
Trinity (Trimurthi – Siva Vishnu and
Brahma) and a small rock-cut attendant
shrine on north.
Second storey has a pillared rectangular
shrine of Anantasayi (Vishnu reclining on
serpent couch) on north and a lesser
shrine on south.
Top floor was intended for a triple shrine
but unfinished.
Some of the extant sculptural specimens,
on stylistic grounds were attributed to the
Chalukyan period.
Arahaeological
Museum,
AMARAVATHI
(V&M), GUNTUR
DISTRICT
The Museum consists of 3 galleries.
In the key gallery selected examples of the
art traditions of Amaravati like Lotus and
Purnakumbha are displayed.
The standing Buddha secured from
Gummadidurru is datable to eight century
AD.
In second gallery contains the life size
standing image of Buddha in super human
form with marks of great man (Maha
Purusha Lakshana), Triratna, animal rows
and minor antiquities like coins and beads.
The third gallery comprises a few
sculptures of 2nd cent. BC including an
Yakshi of Bharhut tradition, a stele with
labeled panels, and a fragmentary pillar
edict of Asoka. Images of Buddha from
Alluru, Dharma Chakra from Lingaraja
Palli, Bodhistvas, a dome slab depicting
the jeweles of the Buddhist
The couple in round in the central
showcase is a masterpiece of Amaravati
Art, with full of vigour and vitality, of the
Satavahana period.
The full size ornate bull (nandisvara) of the
Satavahana period in round is an attractive
piece of art picked up from the local
Amaresvara temple.
The garland and bearers of a copingstone,
the images of Vajrayana period, and a
Jaina Tirthankara of medieval times are
quite interesting in this gallery.
Ruined Buddhist
stupa and other
remains in
Amaravati, Gunrur
District
Colonel Colin Mackenzie of the
Trignometrical survey had discovered the
remains of the stupa in 1797.
The great stupa or Mahachaitya at
Amaravati is considered to be one of the
biggest stupas in Andhra Pradesh.
It was erected during the mauryan rule (c.
3rd cent. B.C.) and was under constant
patronage during subsequent dynasties
and in prominence as late as 14th cent.
A.D.
The Chinese traveler Yuan Chwang and the
Tibetan Historian Taranath glorified in
their accounts the greatness of this ancient
seat of Buddhism.
The rich sculptural carvings of
this sarirakastupa are a class of its own
popularly known as 'Amaravati school of
art'. The relic caskets found here are
testimony to the sanctity and reverence
attached to it.
Most of the sculptures of this stupa have
enriched some of the acclaimed museums
in India, Britain and Germany.
Rest of the sculptures are on display in the
site museum.
Inscribed rock to the
west of Dharanikota,
AMARAVATI(M),
GUNUTUR DIST
These Prakrit Inscriptions date back to
Satavahana Period. These Inscriptions
follow Amaravati School of Art.
The stupa at Dharanikota was adorned wit
limestone reliefs and free standing
Buddha figures.
The three Cubits long rail found here is
the gift of Sidhathaya, the female pupil of
Purva-Mahavina-Seliya.
FORT IN RUINS,
DHARANIKOTA,
AMARAVATI(M),
GUNTUR DISTRICT
Black and Red ware of Megalithic fabric, A
hearth with vent-holes, suggestive of its
use by the users of latirite ridge were
found.
Excavations also showed structural
activity in the shape of drains and soakpits , indicative of sanitary development of
the settlement.
Multi coloured glass and ceramic ware
were found from these sites.
Particularly important find ware coins of
Satavahana period and an Inscribed Ivory
seal showing the stupa with railings.
Latest activity before final abandonment
of the site showed Tiled platforms.
BUDDHA KSHETRAM,
VADDAMANU ,
TULLURU(M),
GUNTUR DISTRICT
The excavations at Vaddamanu have
brought to light religious structures
spread over a period of 500 years, starting
from the Second Century BC.
Phased structural activity is noticed on the
terrace of the hill. Earliest activity at the
site shows presence of a stupa.
It also has a sixteen pillared hall, two
wings of a Vihara, towards east and west.
Stupas at Vaddamanu date back to
Mouryan period and they are structurally
different from stupas at Amaravati and
Nagarjuna Konda.
Another inscription in Brahmi characters is
found near outer vihara. It possibly refers
to village name of Salipura(town of rice) in
olden times, as etymologically the present
name Vaddamanu is the equivalent to
ancient form Salipura.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
SITES, GARIKAPADU,
KROSURU(M),
GUNTUR DISTRICT
Mounts and Stupas excavated at
Garikapadu date back to Neolithic to Early
historical period.
For the Stupa at Garikapadu,
unconventional way of Solid flooring
above the earth-packing at regular
intervals was implemented. The flooring
was made of concrete.
Five coins which appears to be issues
called Pagodas of Madras, which were
originated during the time of king Ranga
Raja were found.
HILL FORT OF REDDY
KINGDOM,
KONDAVEEDU ,
YADLAPADU(M),
GUNTUR DISTRICT
Kondaveedu Fort is to be found at a
distance of 25 km from Guntur.
Kondaveedu fort was built by Anapotha
Reddy in the 1250 A.D and later developed
by Ana Venkata Reddy.
Later it went under the rule of Gajapathis.
Fort was considered impregnable with 24
bastions and spread across 30 hillocks.
Located on a hilltop, this historical fort
offers around 21 stupas. There are also
many temples, residential structures and
pillared halls.
Recent archaeological excavations
unearthed a 14th century inscription
penned by Kavi Sarvabhauma Srinadha
and an idol of Raja Rajeswari.
The Presiding Diety of this place is
Trikoteswara Swamy situated on the
hillock and is one of the noted piligrim
centres attracting thousands of visitors on
Sivarathri day.
BELLAMKONDA FORT
(THE REDDYS AND
VIJAYANAGARA
KINGDOM),
SATTENAPALLI(M),
GUNTUR DISTRICT
The fort consist of a single stone wall,
connecting the elevated points of the hill
and having bastions at the south-east and
north-west angles, which terminate the
two extremities of the principal front.
In shape, the fort is roughly an equilateral
triangle, enclosing an area of irregular
elevation of about one-sixteenth of a
square mile.
There still remain some buildings of stone,
the old magazine and storerooms.
It is said to have been constructed by the
Reddi kings of Kondavid. After their power
had passed away in 1482 it fell into the
hands of the Orissa kings, then Sultan of
Golconda, followed by Viajayanagara kings
and finally Muhammadans in 1578.
EARLY HISTORIC SITE,
MALLEPADU ,
TENALI(M), GUNTUR
DISTRICT
Mallepadu, with history dating back to the
5th century B.C, proved to be a treasure
trove of pre-historic remnants and
Buddhist relics
Excavations at Mallepadu yielded prehistoric conical bowls, black and red
pottery stands, lamp stands , jars and semi
precious stones
These remnants of red and black polished
pottery are an indication of a flourishing
civilisation during the early Satavahana
period. Some of these pieces are also
identified with other discoveries at
Buddhist sites