A treasure trove lies in neglect

The statue of sitting buddha at the entrance to the cave at Bojjannakonda
Image from Wikimedia Commons - Kkkishore

B. MADHU GOPAL - From the hindu

The treasure trove of Buddhist heritage sites, flourished between 3rd century BC and 3rd century AD in the three north Andhra districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, and Visakhapatnam districts, is in a neglected state.

These sites have the potential to attract international tourists from Sri Lanka, Japan, Indonesia and China besides other nations. The half a dozen sites located in and around the city have failed to attract the attention of tourists even decades after their discovery.

Though roads were laid by the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) and some development works like landscaping were done several years ago to Thotlakonda and Bhavikonda, the sites failed to attract the attention they deserved due to the incomplete works. The signboards and information boards at Thotlakonda and Bavikonda were damaged during Hudhud in October last and yet to be replaced.

“Not many people seem to know about these sites due to lack of publicity. I am impressed by them when visited for the first time. The sites in the region are merely looked upon as ‘archaeological sites’ and very little is being done to popularise them,” Dharmacharya Shantum Seth of Delhi, who visited the heritage sites in the region in July last, told The Hindu.

A Scenic view of paddy fields from Bojjannakonda, Sankaram, India

Wikimedia Commons - Adityamadhav83

Breathtaking view

“Thotlakonda, Bavikonda, and Pavuralakonda are located on hill tops close to the coast and offer breathtaking view of the hill ranges, the beaches and the sea. Leisure tourism can also be developed to attract tourists and thereby popularise the sites. We have to make them ‘living sites’ where Buddhist monks and others can use them as meditation retreats and for holding intellectual discussions. On-site museums should be developed to display the relics,” he said.

No progress

“Black topping of the road to Pavuralakonda near Bheemunipatnam is pending. The plinth protection and reinforcement and internal pathways work is pending at Bavikonda,” K. Chittibabu, Assistant Director, Archaeology and Museums, said.

“We are ready to erect signboards and provide drinking water at Thotlakonda and Bavikonda. We are operating our bus to Thotlakonda as part of the city package tour,” Andhra Pradesh Tourism General Manager G. Bheemasankara Rao told The Hindu .

Not many people seem to know about the Buddhist sites due to lack of publicity

Dharmacharya Shantum Seth

A monk from Delhi