Andhra Pradesh: Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex to be rebuilt

The Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex will be developed as an international tourist destination, the Andhra Pradesh Minister of Tourism Shri Muttamchetti Srinivasa Rao announced on Tuesday. The Minister visited the site on Monday and examined the ancient Buddhist stupa that had collapsed due to heavy and continuous rains.

Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex to be rebuilt

"The Hon'ble Minister of State for Tourism, Shri Muttamchetti Srinivasa Rao examined the ancient Buddhist stupa. It will explore the causes of the wreck and rebuild the pillar," said a tourism ministry statement. The stupa is to be rebuilt and a new lawn will be built for the tourists. 

"We will soon renovate the stupa. I spoke to the Archaeology Director Vani Mohan, IAS. I asked her to put up a file for the permanent reconstruction of this stupa. It was previously reconstructed four years ago but it could not survive," the Minister said in a press conference.

Tourism Minister alleges corruption  

The Minister also accused the previous Governments of corruption in rebuilding the site. He said that he had asked for an enquiry into the corruption rampant in reconstruction of historic monuments. "I am fortunate enough to be the MLA of this area and Minister of Archaeology. We will develop Thotlakona as an international tourist destination," he said. 

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A portion of Stupa crumbles due to heavy rain

A portion of the famous stupa came crumbling down after incessant rains in the region on Friday October 25. Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex is situated on a hill near Bheemunipatnam about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India. The site came to light during an aerial survey by the Indian Navy for setting up a naval base. After its discovery, major excavations have been conducted by the Andhra Pradesh State Archaeology Department from 1988 to 1993. The excavations established the existence of a Hinayana Buddhist complex which flourished 2000 years ago.

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(With ANI inputs)