Andhra Pradesh

Buddhist Chaitya Gruhas discovered in West Godavari

Ramesh Susarla

Miniature stupa found on northern side

—Photo T.Vijay Kumar

rare find: Newly discovered remnants of two Buddhist Chaitya Gruhas at Kantamanenivarigudem near Guntupalli caves in West Godavari.

GUNTUR: Archaeological Survey of India has discovered two Buddhist Chaitya Gruhas facing each other at Kantamanenivarigudem in West Godavari in the proximity of famous Guntupalli rock-cut temples.

These Chaitya Gruhas dated back to 2nd century AD were symbols of carrying forward Buddhist teaching into common man’s hearts that formed mainstay of Mahayana sect.

These findings along with a miniature stupa of 1.5 mt. diameter and some shreds of pottery is significant, as a sandstone half-damaged Dhyana Buddha statue and fully-decorated and sculptured greenstone pillar was found at the same place more than a year ago, ASI Hyderabad Circle Director and Superintendent Archaeologist D. Jithender Das told The Hindu.

The Chaitya Gruhas measuring 10.40 metres in length, 5.57 metres in breadth housed a statue of Dhyana Buddha and a miniature stupa and height of the structure though not physically available is projected to be 12 feet for the people to go into the solid burnt-brick walled structure.

Lime mortar was the joining mixture used for the moulded basement of the two structures and a miniature stupa.

While the chaitya gruha that housed Dhyana Buddha statue once faces east while the one containing a miniature stupa faces west and are believed to be built during the rule of Satavahanas.

“From the time of origin of these chaitya gruhas on the Western Coast of India in 3rd BC they were considered principal structures of worship. Buddhist monks on the eastern coast added new features of veneration like those found in the apsidal chaitya gruhas of Salihundam, Ramateertham, Guntupalli and Amaravathi in Guntur district,” explained Mr. Das.

“These covered structures were basically for providing concentration to worshipper and were creations of masterminds of Dhakiniana School of monks.

These three-fold moulded basements with specially designed bricks for each layer were the germination of Tripattakumada Adhishtanams (basements) of late Hindu temples,” opined Assistant Superintendent Archaeologist D. Kanna Babu analysing the findings.

Those who assisted the archaeological team in bringing out these structures from under a mound, included W.V.S. Narasimham and Ch. Babji Rao, Assistant Archeologists, K. Veeranjaneyulu, Conservation Assistant and K.V.V.S.N. Murthy.

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