Bavikonda — Visakhapatnam Monastery
Bavikonda — Visakhapatnam Monastery Site
Early Historic (3rd c. BCE–3rd CE)·Satavahana·🇮🇳 Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam, India
About
About Bavikonda — Visakhapatnam Monastery
Bavikonda — Visakhapatnam Monastery in Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam, India is a Early Historic (3rd c. BCE–3rd CE) temple complex attributed to Satavahana culture. Indian Archaeological Survey and Deccan College excavations reveal stratified deposits with ceramics and radiocarbon. The site includes a principal mound and monastic or settlement features. The site includes a principal feature and ancillary settlement or ceremonial elements.
Why it mattersKey Satavahana site illustrating Early Historic (3rd c. BCE–3rd CE) temple-complex traditions.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Bavikonda — Visakhapatnam Monastery
- 02Function of ancillary enclosures
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for Satavahana
- 02Defensive and ritual focus
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 300 BCE
- Period
- Early Historic (3rd c. BCE–3rd CE)
- Culture
- Satavahana
- Purpose
- Hilltop Buddhist monastery with relic casket
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 300 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1000 CE
Abandonment or reuse
On the ground
Structures & features
17.8222° N · 83.3822° E · 450 m · 3 mapped features
Bavikonda — Visakhapatnam Monastery — Principal Feature
structurePrimary temple-complex feature at Bavikonda — Visakhapatnam Monastery
17.8230° N · 83.3830° EBavikonda — Visakhapatnam Monastery — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary complex at Bavikonda — Visakhapatnam Monastery
17.8215° N · 83.3816° EBavikonda — Visakhapatnam Monastery — Outlier
rock artOutlier at Bavikonda — Visakhapatnam Monastery
17.8233° N · 83.3812° E