Pavurallakonda

Pavurallakonda Pavurallabodu
Protected Buddhist Monument
Yaksha sculpture at Pavurallakonda near Bheemunipatnam
17°53′19″N 83°26′14″E / 17.88861°N 83.43722°E / 17.88861; 83.43722
Country	India
State	Andhra Pradesh
District	Visakhapatnam
Elevation	150 m (490 ft)
Languages
• Official	Telugu
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Nearest city	Visakhapatnam

Pavurallakonda or Pavurallabodu is a hill popularly known as Narasimhaswamy Konda. It is located near Bheemunipatnam, about 25 km north of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Pavurallakonda consists of a ruined hilltop Buddhist monastic complex that witnessed human habitation anywhere from the 3rd century BCE to the 2nd century CE. It is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the North Coastal Andhra Region. Hinayana Buddhism may have been practiced at this hilltop site.^{[citation needed]}

The initial excavation of this site yielded many relics.^[1] Among the ruins are two Brahmi label inscriptions, foundations of Viharas, circular chaityas, votive stupas, and halls. Coins, polished ware,^[2] beads, and other artifacts were recovered from the site by the Andhra Pradesh Department of Archaeology and Museums.^[3] Nearly sixteen rock-cut cisterns were carved on the hill for the storage of rainwater. Excavations and restoration programs are ongoing at Pavurallakonda.^{[citation needed]}

The Gosthani River flows near this site and is near Bavikonda and Thotlakonda, two Buddhist sites in the Visakhapatnam district.^[4]

The Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has appealed to the authorities to ensure better protection of Buddhist sites after Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Pavurallakonda, and Bojjannakonda were designated as heritage sites by UNESCO.^[5][6]

Pavurallakonda means 'The Hill of the Pigeons' (pavuralu in Telugu means pigeons, and konda means hill). However, some studies conducted at this site suggest that it may be known as Pavurallakonda due to the white stones on the hillock (pavurallu means "white stones" locally).^{[citation needed]}

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  Remnants of a Buddhist Stupa at Pavurallakonda
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  Buddhist rock-cut Cistern at Pavurallakonda
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  Rock-cut steps Pavurallakonda Buddhist ruins
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  Ruins of a Votive Stupa at Pavurallakonda near Bheemunipatnam
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  One of the 16 rock-cut cisterns at Pavurallakonda Bheemili
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  Buddhist relief Pavurallakonda Site Bheemunipatnam
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  Rock-cut steps to a large cistern Pavurallakonda
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  Medium-sized rock-cut cistern at Pavurallakonda
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  Five Headed Serpent Relief at Pavurallakonda
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  Moonstone and steps at Pavurallakonda Buddhist Ruins

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