Bavikonda Monastery, Andhra Pradesh

The Bavikonda (Bavikoṇḍā) Monastery complex was discovered in 1982 when a shepherd led archeologists to the site, and excavations were conducted originally between 1982-87. The monastery was pre-Mahāyana and seems to have flourished between the 3rd BCE and 3rd CE. The name means “Hill of Wells”. When we visited the site was very overgrown, and it took three visits before we finally gained entrance, as the attendant was absent on other occasions. It is very similar to the nearby Thotlakonda Monastery, but on a smaller scale.

There is a Mahā Stūpa, many votive stūpas, some quite large, a number of Chaitya Halls, vihāras for perhaps 30-40 monks, a dining hall together with a kitchen and store rooms. Six relic caskets were discovered in the Mahā Stūpa, which may have contained relics of Lord Buddha. Sātavāhana lead coins and Roman silver coins, and Brahmi inscriptions were also found here, indicating the area was a hub of international trade.