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Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex is situated on a hill near Bheemunipatnam. It is present in Andhra Pradesh and is about 15 kilometers from Visakhapatnam. The name Thotlakonda is a Telugu name. It is derived from the presence of a number of rock-cut cisterns hewn into the bedrock of the hillock.  It literally means ‘Hill with stone wells‘. This is because of its stone wells that collected water for Buddhists.

Thotlakonda is located at a height of 128 meters on a hilltop. It is present near the village Mangamaripeta. The Indian Navy discovered this place. They were on an aerial survey for setting up a Naval Base.

What is the history of Thotlakonda?

  • The Indian Navy discovered Thotlakonda. They were on an aerial survey for setting up a Naval Base.
  • During 1988 – 1993, after its discovery, major excavations have been conducted by the Andhra Pradesh State Archaeology Department.
  • The excavations led to an establishment of the existence of a Hinayana Buddhist complex which flourished 2000 years ago.
  • The excavations reveal foreign trade with its lead and Roman silver coins.
  • Terracotta tiles, miniature stupa models in stone, stucco decorative pieces, sculptured panels,  and Buddha footprints were also found.
  • This complex was active between the year 200 BC and 200 AD.
  • Thotlakonda might have accommodated more than 100 bhikkhus.
  • It declined by the end of the 3rd century.

What is the architecture of Thotlakonda?

  • Thotlakonda complex is beautiful with magnificent structural design.
  • There are meditation halls. It protects Monks from outside disturbances.
  • There are stupas at the center of the meditation halls.
  • The layout of the kitchen and resting place for Monks are simple.
  • Monks visiting this Buddhist school from far places came through the sea route. They used to stay here for months and year before completing their study.
  • There are stones that mark the direction of Sunrise and sunset.
  • Thotlakonda Complex has various Stupas, Viharas, and Chaityas.
  • There are 12 tubs. These store drinking water. Out of them, four are available within the complex and others were a little outside of the area.
  • The eagle-shaped hilltop gives a panoramic view of the sea and the curved coastline.

How to reach this place?

Train: Take a train to Vizag. The nearest station is Vizag. This place is at a distance of 22 Kms from Vizag Railway Station.

Air: The nearest airport is Vishakhapatnam. It is 35Kms away from here.

Salihundam Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Salihundam is a village in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. It was known as Salivatika, which means rice emporium. Salihundam lies on top of a hill on the south bank of the Vamsadhara River. It features ruins of a number of Buddhist stupas and a huge monastic complex on a hillock amidst scenic surroundings. It is about 9 miles from Srikakulam.

Salihundam is famous for numerous Buddhist stupas. These were discovered by Gidugu Venkata Rama Murthy, in the year 1919. Salihundam shows evidence that during the 2nd and 3rd centuries, Buddhism thrived in the local area of it. Therefore, it has become one of the main Buddhist excavation sites.

What is the history of Salihundam?

  • There are numerous Buddhist stupas on a hill in Salihundam. These hills are present amid picturesque surroundings.
  • Gidugu Venkata Rama Murthy erected this Stupa in the year 1919.
  • During digging performed by the state authorities, four stupas, Relic caskets, and architectural shrines were discovered.
  • One of the main Buddhist excavations stands there as an evidence that the religion thrived at this place during 2nd to 3rd century.

What is the significance of Salihundam?

The significance of Salihundam is that it holds a lot of archaeological importance owing to the existence of ancient monuments. There are a number of Buddhist stupas and a huge monastic complex. These are present amidst scenic surroundings. here’s distinct evidence of the presence of the ‘Vajrayana’ cult.  Buddhism spread to Sumatra and other far-eastern countries from here.

How to reach this place?

  • Road: The nearest town is Srikakulam. Srikakulam is 17 km from Salihundam. There are good road connections from Srikakulam to this place.
  • Train: There is no railway station near to Salihundam in less than 10 km. The major railway station is Vishakapatnam Rail Way Station. It is at a distance of 117 KM.

What are the timings of the Stupa?

The Stupa remains open for visitors from 6 AM to 9 PM.

What is the entry fees of the Stupa?

The entry fees to the Stupa varies from Zero to 10 rupees.

What are some temples nearby?

Simhachalam Temple is located nearby in Vizag.

Hemis Monastery Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Hemis Monastery is a Himalayan Buddhist monastery of the Drukpa Lineage. The monastery was re-established by the Ladakhi King Sengge Namgya, in 1672. The monastery is situated 45 km from Leh City, Hemis. It is present on a mountain on the west bank of the River Indus.

Hemis monastery attracts numerous tourists each year because of its beautiful architecture. It is the biggest and most important Monastery in Leh, Ladakh. This is one of the wealthiest gompas in India. It is famous for its rich collection of ancient remnants like the copper statue of Buddha, gold and silver stupas, sacred Thangkas, murals, and various artifacts.

What is the history of Hemis Monastery?

  • Hemis Monastery existed before the 11th century.
  • In 1630 the monastery was founded by the first incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso.
  • It was constructed in 1672 AD under the reign of King Singge Namgyal.
Hemis Festival
Hemis Festival

What is the Hemis festival?

The Hemis Festival is dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava.  It is believed that he was born on the 10th day of the fifth month of the Monkey year as predicted by the Buddha Shakyamuni. It is also believed that his life mission is to improve the spiritual condition of all living beings. This day comes once in 12 years. It is believed that these sacred rituals give spiritual strength and good health. This festival attracts hundreds of tourists from around the world.

How to reach Hemis Monastery?

  • Air: There is no direct flight connectivity to Hemis. The nearest airport is in Leh. It is around 42 away from Hemis. One can drive from Leh to Hemis.
  • Train: There are no direct trains to Hemis. The nearest railway station is Katra railway station. It is 227 km away from Hemis.
  • Road: Hemis is connected to all major cities via road.

What is the best time to visit Hemis Monastery?

  • June: This is the best time to visit is during the Hemis festival that takes place in June. It is the summer season during this time. The summer starts in June and ends in September.
  • November to May: This is the is the worst season to visit the monastery. The route to the monastery becomes more difficult to cross in the winter season.

Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh

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Tawang Monastery
Tawang Monastery

The Tawang  Monastery is also known in Tibetan as Galden Namgey Lhatse. It means ‘celestial paradise in a clear night’. This monastery is the largest monastery in India and the second largest in the world. The monastery is located in Tawang city of Tawang district in Arunachal Pradesh. It is situated in the valley of the Tawang River, in the northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Tawang Monastery was founded in 1680-1681, Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso. It was built in accordance with the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso. The monastery is situated on a mountain at an altitude of over 3000 m. Tawang Monastery is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world.

Tawang Monastery is a big monastery with living quarters, a museum, institutions and libraries. The Monastery can hold a capacity of 700 monks and is currently home to around 450 lamas.

What is the history of the Tawang Monastery?

In Tibetan, ‘Ta’ means ‘horse’ and ‘wang’ means ‘chosen’. Therefore, the name Tawang means chosen by a horse. According to the legends, Merak Lama was having difficulty in finding a good place to build the monastery. He once rested in a cave where he prayed, seeking divine guidance. When e came out, he found his horse missing. After searching for a while, he found the horse, grazing at the top of a mountain. Merak Lama realized it as a good spot where the monastery could be built.

The full name of the monastery is thus Tawang Galdan Namgye Lhatse. It means ‘The site chosen by the horse is the divine celestial paradise’.

What is the architecture of the place?

  • Entrance and outer walls: At the entrance to the monastery there is a Kakaling, which is a colorful gate structure. It is a ‘hut-like structure’, with side walls built of stone masonry. The interior walls of the Kakaling have murals of divinities and saints painted on them. The roof features Mandalas. Ahead of the main gate of the Kakaling to its south, is another entry. On the main entrance to the monastery, there are huge walls. The outer wall is 925 feet in length, with heights varying from about 10–20 feet.
  • Main buildings: The monastery is three-storied. It is built like a large mansion. There is a large assembly hall, ten other functional structures and 65 residential quarters for students, Lamas and monks. There is a center for Buddhist cultural studies. The monastery also has a school. The walls of the monastery have a profusion of  Buddhist deities and saints.
  • Main temple: The main temple is known as the Dukhang. ‘Du’ means ‘assembly’ and ‘Khang’ means ‘building’. It was built in the year 1860-61. An 18 feet image of Buddha is deified which is gilded and decorated.

Tawang Monstery

What are the festivals celebrated in the Tawang Monastery?

Choksar, Losar, Ajilamu, and Torgya are the main festivals that are held in the monastery.

  • Choksar: In this festival, the Lamas recite religious scriptures in the monasteries. Following which, the villagers carry the scriptures on their back and circumambulate their agricultural land. They seek blessings for the good yield of crops without any infestations by pests and to protect against attack by wild animals.
  •  Losar: This festival marks the beginning of the Tibetan New Year. In this festival, people visit the monastery to offer prayers.
  • Torgya: This festival is also called Tawang-Torgya. It is an annual festival that is exclusively held in the monastery. The objective of the festival is to ward off evil spirits. It ushers prosperity and happiness to the people in the ensuing year. It is held according to the Buddhist calendar days of 28th to 30th of Dawachukchipa, which corresponds to 10 to 12 January of the Gregorian calendar. It is a Monpa celebration.

How to reach the Tawang Monastery?

Air: The nearest airport is located in Tezpur. It is at a distance of 387 km. The nearest international airport is located in Guwahati. It is at a distance of 480 km.

Train: The nearest railway station is Rangapara Railway Station. It is at a distance of 383 km. Rangapara Railway Station is directly connected to about 88 stations.

Road: Tawang Monastery is well-connected by road to all places.

What is the best time to visit the Monastery?

  •  Summer- March to June: This is the best time to visit Tawang. The temperature ranges between 5 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius. The days are pleasant and nights are colder.
  • Monsoon- July to September: It is mostly wet during monsoon season. There is rainfall all over and the temperature drops. However, this place looks even more beautiful during this season.
  • Winter- November to February:  The temperature sometimes drops near the freezing point. The temperature gets around 10 degrees. The coldest month of winters is January.

Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath

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Dhamek Stupa
Dhamek Stupa

Dhamek Stupa is one of the most famous and Buddhist stupas. It is located in Sarnath near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. Dhamek Stupa is one of the most visited Buddhist structures in the world.  This Stupa was originally built in 249 BCE, during the reign of King of the Maurya Dynasty, Ashoka. After that, this massive and prominent structure has gone through several expansions and additions. Dhamek Stupa lies inside the Deer Park in Sarnath.

The Dhamek Stupa marks the spot where the Buddha after attaining enlightenment, gave the first sermon to his first five Brahmin disciples. He revealed his Eightfold Path leading to nirvana.

What is the history of Dhamek Stupa?

The mortal remains of Buddha were distributed and buried under 8 mounds after his cremation. The embers and urn were placed under 2 other mounds. Therefore 10 such monuments consisted of the relics of Lord Buddha.

Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty reigned over almost the entire Indian subcontinent from c. 268 to 232 BCE. He built several Stupas that consisted the relics of Lord Buddha. and His disciples across India in his pursuit to spread Buddhism. In 249 BCE he commissioned to build the Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath. The Stupa was later reconstructed in 500 CE. It was around that time that he built the Dhamek Stupa and several other monuments to commemorate his pilgrimage at Sarnath.

Dhamek stupa boasts of a distinct architectural pattern. The stupa bears special significance for devout Buddhist. This is because it marks the ‘seat of the holy Buddha’ as he proclaimed his faith.

What is the architecture of the Stupa?

The Dhamek Stupa is a cylindrical tower. t is 43.6 m high and 28 m in diameter. The Stupa is built with red bricks and stone. The lower part being entirely covered with beautifully carved stones. These are chiseled with exquisite floral carvings of the Gupta period. The borders of the stupa are delicately carved with figures of humans and birds.

The base of the Stupa dates back to the Ashokan period. The panels of Dhamek Stupa Sarnath also consist of  ‘Swastikas’.  The structure of the stupa was expanded and enlarged almost12 times in the course of history.

How to reach the Dhamek Stupa?

Train: Take a train to Varanasi railway station and Kashi railway station.

Air:  Varanasi airport is well connected with all the major cities of the country

Road: Varanasi is connected to all major cities by road.

What is the visiting hours of the Stupa?

  • The site remains open from sunrise to sunset.
  • It can be visited all the time during the year.

What is the entry fees of the Stupa?

The entry fees of the Stupa is:

  • Rs. 5: Foro Indian citizens and visitors of SAARC and BIMSTEC nations.
  • Rs. 100/: Others.
  • Free: For children up to 15 years of age

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