Situated around 90km from Vijayawada, Ghantasala was once a flourishing 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 2C-3C Buddhist monastic establishments 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. Some of the carved slabs have found their way to museums in Paris.