Ambaputra: added references

2026-02-10T18:38:50Z

added references

Kamal Guha: Andhra Pradesh Buddhist sites template added

2023-11-24T03:01:52Z

Andhra Pradesh Buddhist sites template added

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:31, 24 November 2023
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	* [http://www.rangan-datta.info/thotlakonda.htm Travel Article on Thotlakonda.]		* [http://www.rangan-datta.info/thotlakonda.htm Travel Article on Thotlakonda.]
	* https://web.archive.org/web/20170626104454/http://asihyd.ap.nic.in/monuments.html		* https://web.archive.org/web/20170626104454/http://asihyd.ap.nic.in/monuments.html

			{{Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh}}

	[[Category:Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh]]		[[Category:Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh]]

imported>Rdp060707: Reverted edits by 122.182.230.144 (talk) to last revision by Jeevan naidu: nonconstructive edits

2021-08-08T07:51:09Z

Reverted edits by 122.182.230.144 (talk) to last revision by Jeevan naidu: nonconstructive edits

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Thotlakonda
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name = Senagiri
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Protected Buddhist Monument
| image_skyline = File:Mahastupa in Thotlakonda, Visakhapatnam (2).jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Maha Stupa at Thotlakonda
| pushpin_map = India Visakhapatnam
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Andhra Pradesh, India
| coordinates = {{coord|17|49|35|N|83|24|34|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Visakhapatnam]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code =
| registration_plate =
| blank1_name_sec1 = Nearest city
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Visakhapatnam]]
| website =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex''' is situated on a hill near [[Bheemunipatnam]] about {{convert|15|km}} from [[Visakhapatnam]] in [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]]. The hill is about {{convert|128|m}} above [[sea level]] and overlooks the sea. The Telugu name ''Toṭlakoṇḍa'' derived from the presence of a number of rock-cut [[cistern]]s hewn into the bedrock of the hillock.

Thotlakonda was well within the influence of ancient [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)|Kalinga]], which was an important source of dissemination of [[Buddhism]] to Sri Lanka and various parts of [[Southeast Asia]]. Also, it is one of the Ports of entry for all the Visitors coming from high Seas to visit all Buddhist prominent places located closely around 83.3 degrees Meridian East. It provides an insight into the process of transoceanic diffusion of Indic culture, especially Buddhism.

A hill on the sea coast with salubrious climate was an ideal attraction for the Buddhist monks to build a [[monastery]] complex here. The placid sea sheltered by the deeply in curved coastline here, provided a safe haven for anchoring ships. People coming from far away places to India are well guided by the longitude 83.3 degrees Meridian East. Thotlakonda, Sarnath, Kushinagar and Lumbini happens to lie almost on the same Longitude. Those coming to India by high Seas wanna travel by the shortest distance and so visited Thotlakonda a transit place, anchored their Ships, took rest for some time on the hill and travelled along 83.3 degrees Meridian East to Buddhist prominent places.

Thotlakonda came to light during an aerial survey by the [[Indian Navy]] for setting up a naval base. After its discovery, major excavations have been conducted by the Andhra Pradesh State Archaeology Department from 1988 to 1993. The excavations established the existence of a [[Hinayana]] Buddhist complex which flourished 2000 years ago. To the south of the complex there is a tank which served as a water source to the inhabitants of the monastery.

The excavations reveal [[Satavahana dynasty]] lead and [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] silver coins indicating foreign trade; [[terracotta]] tiles, stucco decorative pieces, sculptured panels, miniature [[stupa]] models in stone, and [[Buddha footprint]]s were also found. The excavations also yielded twelve inscriptions in the [[Brahmi script]]. From polygraphic studies, it appears that the hill might have been known as ''Senagiri''; ''Sena'' in [[Pali]] means "elder, superior".

Thotlakonda's peak activity was between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE owing to brisk Roman trade and religious missions sent abroad. Thotlakonda came into existence along with nearby sites in [[Visakhapatnam]] like [[Bavikonda]] and [[Pavurallakonda]]. The lofty stupas shining during the day, with their light lime plaster and with rows of wick lamps during nights, might have served as guiding landmarks of nautical commuters. There appears to have been no royal patronage for this monastery. However traders and local believers seem to have supported the complex. In its heyday, Thotlakonda might have accommodated more than 100 [[bhikkhu]]s.

The complex had arrangements for storing food, clothing, medicines and served as a religious cum academic centre. [[Nikaya Buddhism]] appears to have been practiced here, including the worship of [[Gautama Buddha]] through symbols such as [[paduka]]s and other material remains rather than using human representation.

Thotlakonda had declined by the end of the 3rd century.
[[File:Thotlakonda Monastic Complex Panoramic view AP.JPG|thumb|centre|1100px|Thotlakonda Monastic Complex Panoramic view]]

==External links==
{{commons category|Thotlakonda}}
* [http://www.rangan-datta.info/thotlakonda.htm Travel Article on Thotlakonda.]
* https://web.archive.org/web/20170626104454/http://asihyd.ap.nic.in/monuments.html

[[Category:Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Stupas in India]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Visakhapatnam]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Visakhapatnam district]]

Thotlakonda - Revision history

Ambaputra: added references

Kamal Guha: Andhra Pradesh Buddhist sites template added

imported>Rdp060707: Reverted edits by 122.182.230.144 (talk) to last revision by Jeevan naidu: nonconstructive edits