Guntupalli Caves

 

Guntupalli Group of Buddhist Monuments is located near Kamavarapukota in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh state. The site has two Buddhist caves, two vihara made up of brick, chaitya and a group of stupas.

Rock cut Temple (Vritta Chaitya): Datable to the 3rd-2nd century BC, the vritta chaitya is circular on plan and enshrines a rock cut votive stupa provided with a small circumambulatory path around it. Locally known as Dharmalingeswara, it has vaulted domical ceiling marked by carved ribs while its exterior shows an arched facade, with ornamental rafts resembling famous Sudama and Lomasrishi caves of Bihar.

Guntupalle is popularly known as “Andhra Ajanta”. These caves are believed to pre-date even the world famous Ajanta & Ellora caves of Maharashtra. It is also believed that the great Buddhist Logician, Dignaga resided here for quiet sometime during his lifetime.

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guntupalli_Group_of_Buddhist_Monuments

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