The village of Sankaram near Anakapalli,
38 km from Visakhapatnam is known for its 3rd and 4th century Buddhist
constructions. Situated on two small hillocks, these constructions are
believed to be made during Mahayana period. The hills, Bojjanakonda and
Lingalakonda has a monastery, numerous rock- cut stupas and sanctuaries
cut into the sides of the hill with several Buddha images. There are a
few plain and small caves on the hillock, which formed the Viharas (shelters)
for the monks and students. The site, an archeologists delight have excavated
several antiquities like the seals, inscribed tablets, pots, copper coins
mostly of seventh century AD.
A unique feature of Bojjannakonda which was excavated under the aegis
of Alexander Rim in 1906, is that it shows all the three phases of Buddhism.
i.e Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. The main attraction here is the
imposing figures of the Buddha, seated in a meditation-posture and the
stupa. The main stupa was first carved out of rock and then encased in
bricks. The hillock Lingalakonda, is located to the west of Bojjannakonda.
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