The Buddhist heritage sites at Bavikonda and Thotlakonda are poised to attain ‘moksha’ just in time for the International Fleet Review (IFR) to be held here from February 4 to 8.
Incidentally, these sites were first discovered by the Indian Navy during an aerial survey over three decades ago. Development works are now going on at a brisk pace at both the sites. Though a few of the civil works can take a couple of months for completion, most of the works are being readied for the benefit of people of different nations visiting Visakhapatnam for the IFR.
The task of conservation, scientific restoration and development of amenities outside the main sites have all been entrusted to a single department and are being done under the overall supervision of the State Archaeology Department.
Located about 20 km from the heart of the city, these heritage sites had flourished over 2,000 years ago. Roads were laid to the hilltops by the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) more than a decade ago.
The AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) was also involved in some of the works like providing information boards to attract tourists.
A hue and cry was raised that the haphazard development works would damage the priceless ‘Buddhist treasure’.
The incomplete works and lack of tourist amenities atop the hills failed to attract the desired tourist attention and these sites remained largely neglected all these years.
“The bricks used in construction at these sites are very large unlike conventional bricks. Large size bricks have been specially ordered to replace the missing and damaged bricks in these heritage structures. The brick walls and other structures in ancient constructions used to be held together by ‘ganugu sunnam’ (a mixture of limestone, clay) and cement concrete was not used,” Assistant Director of Archaeology K. Chittibabu told The Hindu .
“Khondalite stone is used for the pathways around the structures“The civil works include: Buddhist Gallery, souvenir shop and a luggage room for tourists. The restoration and conservation works within the main heritage complex are expected to be completed by April-end,” said Assistant Engineer (Archaeology) Satya, who was monitoring the works at Bavikonda.
Buddhist heritage sites at Bavikonda and Thotlakonda were first discovered by the Indian Navy during an aerial survey over three decades ago
