A Buddhist stupa was discovered in the Nallamalla forest range in Andhra Pradesh.
A Buddhist stupa, a cave, and several priceless antique sculptures were found in Bhairava Konda, the most mountainous region in the whole Nallamalla forest situated in Prakasam district, by an assistant professor employed at Srikalahasti Degree College for Women.
The Stupa has inscriptions carved into its stone surface. To exit the cave from the opposite side and go to the locations listed, the monks chiseled a fine stone from one wall of the tunnel.
Kandula Savitri, a 45-year-old associate professor at Srikalahasti Degree College for Women in Tirupati district, is a native of Lingapuram village in Cumbum mandal of Prakasam district. Savitri conducted her study under the guidance of her mentor Dr. D Venkateswara Reddy.
A Shiva temple (also known as a Lakshumanna temple) in Bogolu village, Ardhaveedu Mandal, Prakasam, and a field in Bogolu were both found to had inscriptions that were discovered during her investigation.
An inscription was found close to a statue of Lord Ganesha and was submitted for analysis. Eight kilometers from Bogolu, there is also a Bhairava Munishwara temple perched on a hill.
The Nallamala forest's highest summit is where this temple is situated. The phrase Bhairava Konda or Bhairava Munishwara Kshetra is where Bhairava Muni gets his name.
Three temples—the Shiva Temple, Ammavari Temple, and Bhairava Muni Temple—can be found on this summit.
"The Shiva temple's architecture is distinct from that of the nearby two other temples. Its outside and interior are both composed of brick, and its design is reminiscent of a Buddhist stupa.
There were Buddhist monks here, according to studies. The two surviving temples were built in the 15th century and are composed of stone.
According to Kandula Savitri, there are inscriptions from temples on the northern side on a stone wall close to the Dona.
The Shiva Lingam seal and the words "Uttpati Pidugu - Ekanta Nivaasi" in Telugu characters from the eighth century are inscribed on top of the stone wall, according to the professor.
The inscriptions were forwarded to Dr. K. Muniratnam, Director (Epigraphy), Directorate of Epigraphy, Archaeological Survey of India, Mysuru, for examination, according to Savitri.
According to the research evaluation, the stones' inscription claimed that they were formerly a Buddhist temple that the Kalamukha cult of Shiva worshipers known as "Uttpati Pidugu - Ekanta Nivaasi" demolished and converted into Shiva temples.
According to the survey, I discovered that Buddhism was alive and well in the Nallamala forest region as well," remarked Kandula Savitri.
On the eastern side of the Bhairava hill temples, according to the assistant professor's investigation, lies a cave.
"In this cave with the big rock, there are two ways. To exit the cave from the opposite side and go to the locations listed, the monks chiseled a fine stone from one wall of the tunnel. However, prehistoric man (prehistoric era peoples) created caverns with large rocks as homes, according to history, the professor stated.
The people of Bogolu and Lingapuram villages, according to Savitri, have heard through their elders that Bhairava Muni visited Bogolu village to do penance there before leaving for Bhairava kshetra after playing kabaddi (referred to as chedugudu) with the locals.
Worshippers cut the grass (garika) three times and place it on their foot as they walk since Muni is the one who takes three steps to reach Bhairava Konda, she said.
