Buddhist sites to be developed with Japanese help

All the 19 sites, including two from the second and third centuries AD, are in Krishna district. The government is also planning to install a Buddha statue at Ghantasala.

Buddhist Monk Banteji performing puja at a Buddhist stupa at Ghantasala in Krishna district. Photo : T. Appala Naidu

At least 19 Buddhist sites, including two from the second and third centuries A.D, in Krishna district will be developed into prominent tourist destinations with Japanese help.

The sites are at present being conserved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). “Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has submitted a proposal to the Japanese government, seeking necessary financial and technical support to create a ‘Buddhist Circuit’ that covers major Buddhist sites,” Deputy Speaker Mandali Buddha Prasad said.

The sites that will be covered in the first phase of the tourism project are Salihundam, Ramateerthaalu, Bojjanakonda, Guntupalli, Adumuru, Jaggayyapeta, Gummudigudeam, Alluru, Ghantasala, Amaravathi and Nagarjunakonda.

Buddha Statue

The government is also planning to install a Buddha statue at Ghantasala. “A standing Buddha statue found at Ghantasala is now kept in display at a museum in Paris. A replica of the statue will be installed soon at Gantasala,” Mr. Buddha Prasad added.

Puja performed

Buddhist monk Binteji performed a special puja in the Buddhism tradition at Penneramma in Ghantasala in the presence of ASI officials and locals on Wednesday. The monk also performed a special puja on the Buddhist Stupa at the ASI museum here.

Published - December 05, 2014 12:56 am IST