Chandavaram Buddhist Stupa to be developed as international tourist destination in Prakasam district

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The ancient double-terraced Buddhist stupa on Singarakonda Hill near the Gundlakamma river is the largest of the 150 stupas discovered in Andhra Pradesh. | Photo Credit: KOMMURI SRINIVAS

The famous Buddhist Stupa at Chandavaram village in Donakonda mandal of Prakasam district will soon be developed as an international tourist destination, District Collector P. Raja Babu has said.

The ancient double-terraced stupa, located on Singarakonda Hill near the Gundlakamma River, is the largest of the 150 Buddhist stupas discovered in Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Raja Babu said a consultancy firm had recently been appointed to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the restoration and development of the Chandavaram Buddhist Stupa. “The consultant is likely to submit the DPR in the next three weeks. Once the DPR and master plan are ready, we will be able to share the estimated cost of the project,” he said.

Mr. Raja Babu and A.P. Department of Language and Culture Director R. Mallikarjuna Rao inspected the stupa on Tuesday. They examined the monument and the surrounding site and interacted with local residents.

The stupa is regarded as one of the most important Buddhist monuments in the country. Mr. Mallikarjuna Rao, who has studied Buddhism and played a key role in designing the Buddha statue installed at Amaravati, is assisting the district administration in preparing the master plan for the project.

A book on the Chandavaram Buddhist Stupa is also being published to highlight its historical and cultural significance for future generations.

Mr. Mallikarjuna Rao said the region had flourished between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE. The stupa derived added significance from its location along the ancient route connecting Kashi and Kanchipuram and its proximity to the Gundlakamma River. Scholars from several countries had visited the site to conduct research on Buddhism, he said.

Mr. Raja Babu said a spiritual tourism circuit was being planned to develop the area, linking the Chandavaram stupa with the Tripuranthakeswara Swamy and Bala Tripura Sundari Devi temple complex at Tripurantakam and the Lakshmi Chennakesava Swamy Temple at Markapuram.

The stupa would also be included in the proposed Buddhist Circuit connecting Amaravati with other Buddhist sites in the State, he said.

To improve connectivity, a road to the stupa from Tripurantakam on National Highway 544D (Anantapur-Guntur) would soon be laid at an estimated cost of ₹50 lakh to ₹60 lakh. Basic infrastructure at the site would also be developed with ₹2 crore to ₹3 crore from district funds, Mr. Raja Babu said.

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