Guntupalli Buddhist Complex, Andhra Pradesh, India    (Dec 2022)        


Guntupalli contains fine specimens of Buddhist architecture from the 3rd–2nd century BCE to 5th–6th century CE (source). Discovered in the 19th century, part of the site lies upon a flat hilltop surrounded by a thick forest, with pathways to at least three clusters of cave dwellings of varying quality for resident monks. The most finely wrought caves forged a timbered look in stone and even had windows, terraces, and verandas (it's likely that junior monks had the simpler caves). Important monuments located here are: a rock cut temple or Vritta Chaitya, a large and a small monastery, a brick chaitya on an elevated platform with a stupa inside, a ruined mandapa, and a stone stupa amid many votive stupas. Remains of finely carved marble pillars on site suggest more impressive architectural features. The Vritta Chaitya has been turned into a living Shiva temple—the stupa is treated like a Shivaling, a Nandi statue has been installed outside, and regular puja is offered by the locals. The site seems to be off the beaten track; the two of us were the only visitors during the morning we spent there.


Entrance to the Guntupalli
complex, few visitors

The path up the hill to
monasteries, stupas, etc.

Eastern remains, votive
stupas in foreground (1, 2)

Stupas & chaitya griha on
elevated platform (1, 2)

Top of the platform

Chaitya Griha (1, 2)

Stupa inside brick chaitya

Ruins atop a hill (1, 2)

Ruined mandapa

Brick chaitya

Dense forest all around

Stone stupa & pillar (1, 2)

Votive stupas w/ carvings

Visitor

Visitor

Northern caves (1, 2)

Pillared path leading to
small monastery / vihara

Steps leading up to
small monastery

Caves of the small
monastery (1, 2)

Caves of the small
monastery (more)

Caves of the large
monastery (1, 2)

Visitor

Visitor

Little cave apartments w/
windows, terrace, veranda

Timbered look in stone

Inside the caves (more)

View of the monks

Simpler caves in the group

Inside the caves

Rainwater drains inside

Small rooms w/ windows

Info on the site

Vritta Chaitya

Chaitya facade, rock-cut
votive stupa inside (more)

Vaulted ceiling marked by
carved ribs (more)

Rock-cut votive stupa

View of large monastery

Another set of caves

More cells existed here

Baked roots (inside)

Eluru streets

Eluru streets

A rooftop scene

Eluru railway station

 



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