5, జులై 2014, శనివారం

Pellikonda: Boomerang shaped Buddhist site

Buddhist Ruin site of Pellikonda is located near Mukundapuram and Reganigudem village's in Anandapuram mandal, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. As seen from a satellite image the low level Hilltop (50 M) looks like a boomerang in North east to South west orientation.

Satellite Imagery of Pellikonda Buddhist site
(Coordinates: 17°56'53"N   83°19'44"E) 

This site was first explored in 1990's by the State Archaeology Department of Andhra Pradesh and was just left with a documentation and no traces of security are found at the site. As per the observations and data from historians the site may be dated back as a contemporary of  Pavurallakonda and other Early Buddhist sites near Bheemunipatnam and Visakhapatnam.

Outline of Stupa Brick Remnants at Pellikonda

During an exploration by historical enthusiasts and freelance archaeologist's in April 2013, Brick remnants, potsherds and columns were found scattered on the flat terraced area towards North east of the Hillock. 

View of Pellikonda Buddhist site

Potsherd at Pellikonda Buddhist Site

Large Bricks of dimensions 23 x 10 Centimeter were found at the site. Most of the area was vandalized by Cashew plantations. An extensive study and exploration is needed urgently to preserve and protect this early historic Buddhist site along Gosthani river basin, which is contemporary to Pavurallakonda, Thotlakonda and Bavikonda Buddhist sites in Visakhapatnam district.

Brick sized  23 x 10 Centimeter at Pellikonda

Help Save Historical Sites of North Coastal Andhra

28, జూన్ 2014, శనివారం

Dannanapeta: Unique Megalithic Site in India

Dannanapeta Megalithic Site near to Amadalavalasa town in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh has a unique and large megalithic complex, which includes a large dolmen, many small cists and innumerable post holes and menhirs. The dolmen is one of the biggest in dimensions, the single capstone on the dolmen weighs up to 50 tonnes and the entire complex makes an extremely interesting and valuable heritage site.

The largest Megalithic dolmen of Early Iron Age


Unfortunately the Government polytechnic college of Amadalavalasa has come up right next to the site and there is a lot of building activity nearby. The site is being vandalized by the villagers for its stones. If urgent measures are not taken to protect the site, it is in danger of total disappearance. Dannanapeta megalithic site has been notified by State Archaeology department in 2011. But, there were no traces of preservation here till now. 


As per historians, these megaliths can be dated back between (1000 BCE to 500 BCE), post holes around the dolmens suggest that this place suggests a memorial or worshiping center by the Iron Age man.Small caves which were used for habitation by the Iron Age man were also explored here at Dannanapeta. These caves would have been later occupied by Jain monks between (1st CE to 2nd CE), as the traces of rock beds in the caves and water troughs were observed on the surface of the caves. Prehistoric Rock shelters were also observed here at Dannanapeta.
Prehistoric Caves at Dannanapeta megalithic site


People under the Dolmen, who visited the site, a building construction nearby


Me explaining a team about the usage of Post Holes at the megalithic site

This particular archaeological structure was explored and discovered by a Freelance archaeologist Kadiyala Venkateswara Rao in 2011. The discovery is significant as it is the biggest dolmen measuring 36 X 14 feet with a thickness of two feet, so far not reported from Andhra Pradesh.


As per the observations and information from local's, the historical site is being vandalized on a speed pace as many megaliths were already destroyed and these are being crushed and used for the construction of a building very near to the site. There is an urgency to save and preserve this unique megalithic site to provide evident Historical studies for future generations.


Schematic map of Dannanapeta Megalithic Site

An online petition has been started on for the protection and preservation of this unique megalithic site as an initiative by a team of Historians in North Coastal Andhra. 
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Help Save and Preserve the unique Megalithic structures