Pavurallakonda

Pavurallakonda or Pavurallabodu is a hill popularly known as Narasimhaswamy Konda. It is located near Bheemunipatnam, about 25 km north of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Pavurallakonda consists of a ruined hilltop Buddhist monastic complex that witnessed human habitation anywhere from the 3rd century BCE to the 2nd century CE. It is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the North Coastal Andhra Region. Hinayana Buddhism may have been practiced at this hilltop site. The initial excavation of this site yielded many relics. Among the ruins are two Brahmi label inscriptions, foundations of Viharas, circular chaityas, votive stupas, and halls. Coins, polished ware, beads, and other artifacts were recovered from the site by the Andhra Pradesh Department of Archaeology and Museums. Nearly sixteen rock-cut cisterns were carved on the hill for the storage of rainwater. Excavations and restoration programs are ongoing at Pavurallakonda. The Gosthani River flows near this site and is near Bavikonda and Thotlakonda, two Buddhist sites in the Visakhapatnam district. The Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has appealed to the authorities to ensure better protection of Buddhist sites after Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Pavurallakonda, and Bojjannakonda were designated as heritage sites by UNESCO.