Buddhist remains found at Tripurantakam

Buddhist remains were found on the premises of Tripurantakeswara temple at Tripurantakam in Prakasam district during renovation works of the 11th century Shaivite shrine. Cultural Centre of Vijayawada and Amaravati (CCV&A) Chief Executive Officer E Siva Nagi Reddy and Kondaveedu Fort Development Committee convener Kalli Siva Reddy who examined the Buddhist remains as part of the campaign to `Preserve Heritage for Posterity’, told newsmen here on Saturday that the existing Tripurantakeswara temple was built on a Buddhist site of the Satavahana period.

Buddhist pillars of Palnadu limestone were used for raising the temple structure. One of the pillars bore half lotus medallion, a typical Buddhist symbol, with a two line Brahmi inscription dating back to the 2nd century AD. Another inscription in Devanagari script dating back to the 10th century AD was also found, they said. The CEO of CCV&A urged the Department of Archaeology to take up excavations in the area as it helps shed more light on the history of Buddhism in Andhra Pradesh.