Nelakondapalli- Buddhist Site in Telangana

Erradibba Buddhist Stupa Khammam, Telangana / Image Credit

22 km from Khammam town in the state of Telangana is situated the famous Buddhist destination of Nelakondapalli which boasts an imposing Maha Stupa. The place, where Buddhism was in a flourishing state in the bygone era, attracted scholars and philosophers from across South Asia in the ancient times.

In the ancient times, Nelakondapalli was known for producing images of Buddha. Excavations at the site in 1970s, 80s and 90s have unearthed viharas, bronze idol of Buddha and other Buddhist relics dating back to 3rd and 4th century AD. A 3rd century Buddha statue from Nelakondapally was exhibited in Early Buddhist Art exhibition at The Met, New York, in 2023. This limestone Buddha statue in Abhaya Mudra was unearthed during the 1977 excavation in a locality known as Erradibba between Nelakondapalli and Mujjigudem villages in Khammam district.

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