Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology
by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri | 2018 | 90,477 words
This page relates ‘Lower Krishna Valley (18): Bavikonda’ of the study on Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology, including museum exhibitions of the major archeological antiquities. These pages show how the Buddhist establishment of Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) survived from 4th century BCE to 14th century CE. It includes references and translations of episodes of Buddha’s life drawn from the Avadanas and Jatakas which are illustrated in Amaravati art.
Lower Kṛṣṇā Valley (18): Bavikoṇḍa
[Location: Bavikoṇḍa (Lat 17049’N Long 83023’E Viśākhāpatnam)]
Bavikoṇḍa is situated near the village of Timmapuram in Bimili Taluk of Viśākhāpatnam district. The site is about 3 km from the sea-coast. It may be pointed out that as the Buddhist monks moved to different places they constructed Buddhist stūpas and monasteries along the coast and Bavikoṇḍa was one such site[1].
Three phases of building activity was noticed by archaeologists. The Buddhist establishment included a Mahāstūpa, vihāras, caityagṛha, stūpa (PL 10c) and votive stūpas. The Mahāstūpa built of bricks and mud morter has a diameter of 32 metres. However, now its height is diminished to a great extent. The stūpa is surrounded by a railing at four cardinal points. The āyaka vedikās on four cardinal points are another significant feature of the Mahāstūpa. There is a pradakṣiṇapatha around the drum. A votive stūpa 30 meters away to the south of the Mahāstūpa and close to caitya hall 1 was discovered. It was built of bricks and mud morter. A half moon stone, typical of the Amarāvatī school was found on the north side of the Mahāstūpa[2].
Excavation in 1991-92 led to a number of discoveries. These discoveries include Black and Red Rouletted Ware, stucco figurines, lotus medallion, copper coins, terracotta and carnelian beads and two viharas. (Vihara III and IV)[3].
The region was a centre of internal and maritime trade and the Roman silver coins in the monastic cells bear testimony to this. The maritime trade and the rich traders possibly supported and maintained the monasteries and monks living in the region.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ramalakshman A (ed), 2002, ‘Exploration report of the Centre for Marine Archaeological Studies’, 1989-90, Andhra Pradesh Archaeology-A review, 1987-2001, Hyderabad, p 9.
[2]:
Das D. Jithendra, Op. cit, pp 47-49
[3]:
Ramalakshman A (ed) 2002, ‘Excavation 1991-92’, Op.cit, pp 40-41