The 2,200-year-old Chandavaram Buddhist Stupa is a major archaeological site located in Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh. The site is all set to be developed as an international tourist destination, and here’s what we know about this major project, which could attract so many visitors in the future.
Chandavaram Buddhist Stupa To Undergo A Makeover
According to The Hindu, the Buddhist Stupa at Chandavaram village is quite famous and may soon attract a lot of visitors after it is developed into an international tourist destination. A consultancy firm had been appointed recently to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the site’s restoration and development. The DPR will be submitted in the next three weeks, after which the authorities may be able to come up with an estimated cost for the project.
Authorities also examined the monument and its surroundings recently as part of the plan. You would like to know that the stupa is considered one of the most important Buddhist monuments in the country. According to Wikipedia, it was built between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE during the Satavahana dynasty.
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Site Famous For Its Ancient Architecture And Carvings
The Chandavaram Buddhist Stupa was also used as a resting place by Buddhist monks travelling from Kashi to Kanchi. The site houses a double-terraced main stupa, which is built on an elevated platform on a hilltop. The place is famous for its architecture and carvings portraying the Dharmachakra, as well as several Viharas and Brahmi inscriptions.
According to The Hindu, authorities are also planning to include the stupa in a proposed Buddhist circuit connecting Amaravati with other Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh. To improve connectivity, a road to the stupa from Tripuranatakam on National Highway 544D is planned at an estimated cost of ₹50 lakh to ₹60 lakh. Infrastructure at the historical site is also planned at a cost of ₹2 crore to ₹3 crore.
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Have you ever visited this important archaeological site?
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/Arjunaraoc
FAQs
Where is Chandavaram Buddhist Stupa?
Chandavaram Buddhist Stupa is located in Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh.
Why are authorities planning to develop the Chandavaram Buddhist Stupa?
Authorities are planning to develop the site to restore it and promote it as an international tourist destination.
What is a stupa?
A stupa is a dome-shaped Buddhist monument. It is traditionally used as a place for meditation or as a place for sacred relics.