Telangana360

Chronology from Inscriptions Epigraphic records and archaeological excavations show that Buddhism flourished in Telangana from the early centuries CE. The inscriptions trace the evolution of the religion from symbolic worship centered on stupas and Buddhapada slabs to organized monastic institutions supported by royal patronage. These developments can be traced through inscriptions discovered at Phanigiri, Tummalagudem, Chaitanyapuri and other sites. Historical Phases of Buddhism in Telangana 1st Century BCE – 3rd Century CE: Early Buddhist establishments under the Satavahana dynasty . Construction of stupas, monasteries, and relic deposits with support from kings, queens, merchants, and female devotees. Sites include Phanigiri, Dhulikatta, Nelakondapalli, Kondapur, and Kotilingala. 3rd–4th Century CE: Continued Buddhist activity under the Ikshvaku rulers . Inscriptions at Phanigiri and Rudrapurushadatta pillar mention donations, Buddhapada slabs, and administrative s...

Buddhavanam (“Buddha + Vanam” – Buddha Forest) is a unique cultural and spiritual destination designed to capture the Buddhist heritage of the Telugu land. It combines education, spirituality, art, and tourism into a single immersive experience. The site is strategically located near Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, making it accessible to both domestic and international visitors. Telangana is part of the ancient Asmaka country, where Buddhism arrived early in Dakshinapatha. Celebrates Buddha’s life and teachings, Buddhist art schools (Amaravati, Gandhara, Madhura), and the cultural importance of Nagarjuna Konda. Features a living Buddhist community with meditation retreats, monasteries, and training centers. 📌 Location Left bank of the Krishna River, Nagarjuna Sagar, Telangana, India Area:  279 acres Operator:  Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) Status:  Active Opening Hours:  Open year-round 🕉️ Major Attractions 1. Entrance Plaza & Dharmachakra ...

Nandikonda is a small village located along the banks of Krishna River in Peddavura Mandal     Nalgonda district. It is located close to the magnificent Nagarjuna Sagar dam. Nandikonda was part of the Ikshvaku Dynasty and the village shot into prominence after scores of ancient Buddhist structures like pillared halls and monasteries were unearthed. The relics that were unearthed during a series of excavations are today displayed at the Museum of Central Archeological Department here. There are also ruins of a fort dating back to Ikshvaku Dynasty. The citadel consists of gates, strong fortifications, water trenches, and even as rectangular-shaped stadium were found during archeological excavations. The Nagarjuna Sagar dam was initially called Nandikonda project and the place finds place in the Buddhist circuit of Telangana. http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/partials/destinations/heritage-spots/nalgonda/nandikonda.html

Much to the delight of archaeologists and historians, a rare idol of Tara – the female Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism who appears as a female Buddha in Vajrayana Buddhism – was found at Ippagudem in Station Ghanpur mandal recently. Archaeology and history enthusiast R Rathnakar Reddy found the black granite idol abandoned near the bund of a tank. He first mistook it for Yakshini of Jain mythology. But later, noted archaeologist and historian Emani Shivanagi Reddy confirmed it as Tara. “It was Shivanagi Reddy who identified the idol as Tara. There is an engraved image of Buddha on the hair bun. The deity’s upper body is naked with large breasts, which is the most common description of Tara in Buddhist literature,” Rathnakar said. Rathnakar also found a broken idol of Buddha near the black granite structure, which helped them confirm that it was Tara. Both the idols – three-ft-tall Tara and four-ft-tall Buddha – take historians and archeologists closer to the Buddhist era. It is beli...

Buddhism is a religion and dharma that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. Buddhism originated in India sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE, from where it spread through much of Asia, whereafter it declined in India during the middle ages. Two major extant branches of Buddhism are generally recognized by scholars: Theravada (Pali: "The School of the Elders") and Mahayana (Sanskrit: "The Great Vehicle").

Nelakondapalli is a town and a mandal headquarters in Khammam district, Telangana, India, located at a distance of 21 km from Khammam. Nelakondapalli is a historic site, which includes a mud fortification wall that covers 100 acres. Excavations by archaeologists have unearthed the foundations of viharas, cisterns, wells, one Mahastupa, terracotta idols, a bronze idol of Lord Buddha and a miniature stupa carved in limestone, and other historic materials from third and fourth centuries. Archaeological sites of historical importance dating back to the days of Mahabharata such as Virataraju Dibba and Keechaka Gundam are located within one and a half kilometer from Nelakondapalli. The relics, which were found at this place, strengthen the belief that it was a prominent place right from ancient times. Nelakondapalli also has ancient temples like three Shiva temples as well as two Vaishnava temples. The Dusshera festival celebrations in Nelakondapalli attract devotees from other ...

Kotilingala is a historical site nestled amid huge hillocks and thick green cover on the banks of the Godavari River, Velgatur Mandal, Jagtial district of the Indian state of Telangana. Archaeological discoveries at Kotilingala indicate that it was an important town in ancient town, during the period of the Assaka mahajanapada and the Satavahanas, is a treat for pilgrims. The site has a mud fort with several gates and running 1054 metres long and 330 metres wide. A watch tower located in the south-eastern corner measures 11.5 * 10.55 m. Ancient pottery, beads, bricks querns, and other artifacts have been found at the site.  Two hoards of punch-marked coins attributed to 2nd and 3rd centuries BCE have been found at the site. These coins were issued by Gobhada and Samagopa, who are believed to be local pre-Satavahana rulers. The mud fortification, protected by a stream on its east and the Godavari river on its west, indicate its high political and com...

Phanigiri is a village in Tirumalagir mandal of Suryapet district, Telangana. It is home to one of the significant Buddhist sites of immense archaeological importance. The name of Phanigiri village is believed to have been derived from the shape of hillock which is located on the northern side of the village that appears like a snake hood. In Sanskrit language, the word Phani means Snake and Giri means hillock. Phanigiri is situated about 52 km from Nalgonda town. The place consists of a Buddhist complex which is adorned with a massive Stupa along with two apsidal halls with stupas in it.

The Buddhist Stupa dating back to 2nd century BC and one of the 30 walled cities mentioned by Megasthenes located in Dhulikatta village of Eligaid mandal in Karimnagar district, Telangana lies neglected for several decades due to lethargy on the part of the government.  Dhulikatta got its name from ‘Dhulikota’ that means a fort made of mud.  It is about twenty-five kilometres away from Karimnagar city. The nearest Airport is Hyderabad which is about 175 kms from Dhulikatta. From there one can hire private vehicles. Situated about 20kms away from Dhulikatta the nearest Railway Station is Peddapalli. One can hire private vehicles from those places to reach Dhulikatta. The Archaeology Department had discovered the heritage structure in 1975 along the shores of a picturesque rivulet on the outskirts of Dhulikatta village. Barring the discovery of this early Buddhist stupa, the authorities have failed to take up any measures for the development and protection of the heritag...

Kondapur Museum (Late.17.33' N 78.1'E) is  located on a small hillock about one km south of the village of Kondapur in Medak District, Telangana, around 70 kms from Hyderabad. It is a Pre-Satavhana site  dating back to 200 BC - 200 AD. Capital of Mahisamandala Discovered a 25-ft high mound spread over 100 acres which they presume to be a Buddhist stupa with myriad segments throwing light on the Buddhist link of the present Telangana region.  One of the fortified urban settlements of Satavahanas.  Proved to be an important kshetra of Brahmanical faith particularly Sakti cult of that time which was clearly shown through the exposed structures and other associated findings such as coins and sealings.  The excavation yielded a large number of glass vessels indicating Roman influence that indicate the existence of a separate settlement of Romans in Kondapur who had brisk contact and trade with India.  If a stupa is unearth...

Hussain Sagar is a lake in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is spread across an area of 5.7 square kilometers and is fed by River Musi.  Maximum depth of the lake is 32 feet 1562 - 1563 Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah commissioned the construction of the lake in 1562. Sufi Saint Hussain Shah Wali, the son-in-law of the king, was entrusted the duty of overseeing the construction work of the lake. Apparently, the lake became so deep and big that it remained empty for a few years and they had to bring an additional channel of water from the Musi to fill it up. "Legend has it that one day, the King went to take a look at the lake after the construction and was more than irked to hear a bystander call it the Hussain Sagar Cheruvu. He had spent a fortune to build it and he was miffed that he got no credit for it. So, the king ordered the construction of Ibrahimpatnam Lake," says Salil Kader, a researcher and a former professor of History, Moulana Azad University. 12 Apri...

Badankurti village in Khanapur mandal of Nirmal district in Telangana State, India was explored and remnants of a Buddhist monastery were found on a small island of Godavari river near Badankurti.  Buddhism is believed to have first come to the South through through this island village in Godavari river in Telangana region where the boundaries of Adilabad, Nizamabad and Karimnagar district meet. The famous marriage of shatavahana king Hala and Srilankan princess Lilavathi is believed to be occured near Badankurti. It is also known as saptha godavari region mentioned in the ancient books. Badankurti is also famous for Dattatreya temple, which is a very rarest of its kind.it is also famous for Agricultural and milk production.It is in a very strategic location and three districts namely Adilabad, karimnagar and Nizamabad can be easily accessed from here. The Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) wanted the government develop a Buddhist memorial at Badankurti village in Khanapur...