Buddhist Sites
-| Jaggayyapeta | -
Location: District Krishna (Andhra Pradesh) - Lat 16º 34'N, Long
80º 5' E
The Buddhist site of Jaggayyapeta is located at a distance of 7 kms. from the
confluence of the Krishna and the Paler river at distance of 76 kms. from Vijaywada.
The Buddhist establishment is located on a low hillock locally called Dhanna-boda
or Velagiri. The remains consist of the drum portion of the Main stupa, called
Maha chaitya in the local inscription and a ruined pillared Mandapa immediate
to its southeast. It is embellished with beautiful greenish limestone slabs.
The facing slabs of the drum are divided into panels carved with pilasters.
The capital consists of a decorated bell-shaped member with a characteristic
Buddhist motif found in the South India. Over the drum slabs was detachable
coping, containing reliefs of seated figures of Lord Buddha alternating with
stupa each in a separate compartment. Around the processional path, there was
an evidence of a plain railing of lime stone, of which fragments have been discovered.
There are number of pillars found on the site which formed the part of Mandapa.
They are octagonal in the middle, the remaining portion being oblong with relief
of half medallions of exquisite beauty. The low relief carvings are reminiscent
of the early phase of Amerwati which is about 50 kms. from the establishment.
One of the relief of Lord Buddha images bears, below the feet, the record in
the character of the 6th and 7th century AD. This proves the existence of Velagiri
as a flourishing Buddhist centre at least up to that period.
Jaggayyapeta
- Buddhist, Archaeology in India
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