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A Buddhist Site
Sankara is a small village over 2-km from Anakapalle,
Vishakhapatnam. The name
Sankara comes from the term Sangharama. There are two low contiguous rock
hills running east and west, which are locally known as the Bojjanakonda.
They contain some notable Buddhist remains of the State.
Three
huge Stupas at three different places were cut with great difficulty from
the rocks in these hills. The biggest of these is about 9m in diameter,
which was first arrived out of a rock and then veneered with bricks.
Also bricks-built structural edifices, early historic pottery and
Satavahana coins dating back to the 1st century AD have been discovered
here. On the eastern side of the hills are a rock-cut temple with numerous
Buddhist sculptures and also a life-size statue of Buddha.
At Lingalametta, there are innumerable rock-cut monolithic stupas in
rows, spread all over the hill. Relic casket, three chaitya halls, votive
platforms, stupas and Vajrayana sculptures are the other attractions.
Rail & Road: Tourists can access this place by road from Anakapalle or Vishakhapatnam, which is well connected by rail and road.
Small budgeted hotels are available for accommodation at Anakapalle.