Thotlakonda, sited atop the Mangamaripeta Hilltop roughly 16 kilometers away from Visakhapatnam on the Visakhapatnam-Bheemili Beach Road is a primeval Buddhist Complex that was initially discovered during an aerial inspection. Covering an all encompassing area of 48 hectare, Thotlakonda; one of the most precious Buddhist Heritage Sites was declared a protected monument by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in the year 1978.

The excavations carried out between 1988 and 1992 AD acquired the ancient Buddhist architectural residues and artefacts which can be primarily classified into three categories religious, civil and secular. The Buddhist mementos procured at Thotlakonda include the Stupas (a Maha Stupa and 16 Votive Stupas), Chaityas, pillared congregation halls, kitchen complex, bhojanashala, bhandagaras, stone pathways, drainage system, 11 rock cut reservoirs and many others.

Apart from the architectonic debris, other Buddhist assets unearthed here consist of 5 Roman silver coins, 9 Satavahana coins, stucco decorative pieces, terracotta tiles, sculptured panels, minuscule stone Stupas, pottery items, the Buddha Padas marked with 8 auspicious Buddhist symbols, and so on.

Source:

http://www.indiahotels.com/visakhapatnam/visakhapatnam-sightseeing.html

http://thotlakondaofvisakahapatnam.blogspot.in/2011/06/thotlakonda.html