The Hindu Business Line : Buddhist relics to be put up for public viewing

AFTER over a decade of their excavation, rare Buddhist relics found at the Mahachaitya site at Bavikonda (Visakhapatnam district) will be put on display for public view.

Till now only VIPs were allowed to see these relics stored at the State Museum in the Public Gardens. But thanks to a recent Government decision, officials have designed special enclosures that would be open for all.

The gallery will be open for public viewing by Dalai Lama on January 2. In fact, it is the first programme of the Buddhist leader when he arrives in Hyderabad to attend the Kalachakra congregation to be held at Amaravati in Guntur district.

Ms J. Kedareswari, Director of the Department, told Business Line the relics are unique in the sense that they belong to the Theravada school of Buddhism. Situated on a hillock, a Buddhist settlement in Bavikonda existed between the period 3rd Century B.C. and 3rd Century A.D. Located on the ancient trade route connecting the `Andhra Desa' with north India through the Kalinga region, the settlement is believed to have received patronisation from traders.

Officials said the discovery of Roman silver coins gave credence to this argument.

Though the excavations were conducted during 1982-87, the officials found the relics during conservation of the site in 1993. The discovery included a stupa-shaped lid, which encased an earthen urn containing silver and gold caskets with precious and semi-precious beads. An earthen pot with a lid containing ash, and two pieces of bone was also found. It is assumed that the remains belonged to the Great Master (the Buddha), going by the lining of silk textile on the pot.

The relics found at the Mahachaitya also included three red clay vessels at three cardinal points. The location and care shown in arranging the relics showed that they belonged to the Buddha and that the purpose was commemoration.