-| Sankaram | -
Location: District Vishakapat1nam (Andhara Pradesh) - Lat 17º 42'N,
Long 83º 2'E
The site is represented by the twin hills, locally known as Brojjannakonda and
Lingalakonda near the village Sankaram, 3 kms. north of the Anakapalli railway
station.
Bojjannakonda, the eastern hill is the richer of the two and presents a picturesque
appearance with its main stupa that is impressive even in its present desolate
and bare state. The stupa crowns the hill top and dominates the various stupa,
mostly rock-cut and rarely brick built. Almost every rocky outcrop and protuberance
has been converted boldly into a stupa finished with plasters. The stupa exhibits
a considerable variety in shapes and sizes. To the east of main stupa is main
shrine cum monastery. The apsidal shrine, together with the paved hall or courtyard
in the front, two apsidal halls, the entrance and rows of cells on three sides
extending up to hills. There are four smaller shrines, three apsidal and one
oblong with a frontal porch, that are located on the north-eastern and south-
eastern corner of the main stupa.
Four caves excavated at different levels are regarded as sanctuaries, three
of them containing relief of Buddha and the fourth a rock cut stupa. These caves
are beautifully planned with pillars of early variety.
The other hill popularly known as Lingalakonda, means the hill of Linga, as
findings in the stupa have the resemblence with Lingas. The central portion
of the hill is studded with numerous rock cut stupas in tiers, dominated by
a row of seven stupas standing on a common platform. The other objects of interest
on this hill are the main stupa of rock-cut cell and a rock-cut oblong sanctuary
with a votive stupa in the centre.
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