• Jan 25 2016
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Nelakondapalli

Is a road side village on Khammam (20 Kms.) - Kodada(19 Kms.) highway, familiarly known as the birth place of the Saint Kancherla Gopanna (Baktha Ramadas) - who built the famous Rama temple at Bhadrachalam during 17th C.A.D. It is an ancient fortified city comprising numerous mounds inside. Excavations at the early historic mounds in the village locally known as Virataraju dibba and Bairagula Gutta brought to light a number of lime stone images of standing Buddha, a row of brick built water troughs for the treatment of sculptured panels, viharas, a Maha chaitya, rock- cut votive stupas, terracotta figures besides numerous Vishnukundi coins (4th-5th c. A.D.). The presence of uncarved lime stone blocks, chips and flakes at Bairagula Gutta obviously suggests that it was a manufacturing centre of Buddhist sculptures and panels. An icon of standing Buddha as Padmapani in bronze was brought to light by the fishermen of the village from the rivulet nearby, flowing adjacent to the Mahastupa. On stylistic grounds, it is dated to the post-Gupta times (6thC. A.D.). it is well preserved Stupa. The exposed vihara complex needs to be preserved for posterity.