International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395 -0056
Volume: 04 Issue: 05 | May -2017
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
STATE-OF-THE-ART OF MONUMENTS AT BUDDHIST SITE OF GUNTUPALLI CAVES, WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT, A.P Adari Satish Kumar1, Dr. S. R. K. Reddy2 1
P.G. Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Gudlavalleru Engineering College, Gudlavalleru, A.P, India Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Gudlavalleru Engineering College, Gudlavalleru, A.P, India
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Abstract - India is known for its rich, diversified and
In Guntupalli, during the 2nd – 3rd century A.D., the monks started excavating into the hill just like some concave sections later on with the improvement of the architecture and sculptures they started excavating deep into the hill by forming some group of chambers which are interconnected to each other. They have provided some basic requirements like drainage to drain out the water coming into the rooms from leakages from the hill, some bed like structure, niches, openings for doors and windows. These group houses are archaeologically called as monastery. Later with improvement in the construction materials the monks started using the clay bricks for the construction of brick chaitya, apsidal stupa, and votive tombs by making the bricks at the foot of the hill with available clay. They found that the bricks are weak when compared to stones and then for the permanency reason they started using the stones of the available rock near the construction site.
Key Words: Monuments, Rock-cut caves, Brick monuments, Stone monuments, Guntupalli caves
2. Different monuments at Guntupalli
cultural properties. The country is having a history of thousands of years, which is evident from the existing historical building, monuments, temples, etc. of the past. There were different types of historical building, monuments, temples, etc. in different times of the history based on the construction material used, construction process, designs of buildings and plans. Also it is clear from the existing heritage monuments and buildings that there is a lot of advancement and improvement in the construction technology right from the early ages of 2nd – 3rd centuries A.D itself. During those days, the advancement has been reported from the existing monuments at Guntupalli caves, located near Kamavarapukota, West Godavari district, A.P. from rock-cut monuments to brick monuments and then to stone monuments. In this paper, a study on different types of monuments of the Guntupalli caves is presented.
Guntupalli is dotted with some of the finest specimens of monolithic and structural Buddhist remains datable to the 3rd-2nd century BC to 5th-6th century AD. The important monuments located are: rock cut temple or vritta chaitya, large monastery, small monastery, brick chaitya, ruined mandapa, stone stupa and cluster of votive stupas.
1.INTRODUCTION Earlier as it is well known the most natural instinct of man for many centuries during the pre-historic period was to find shelter in caves and rock cut shelters. There were no monumental buildings consciously built by man, but naturally available in nature. As the dawn of the history emerged in early India, natural cave and caverns began to be selected for the dwelling of the monks during the rainy season known as Vassavasa when peregrination was not possible. Monks always practices some religious prayers by living spiritual life alone or with a group of monks. They live a very simple life and spend all their time in religious activities. That is the reason why they always choose such type of places where the common habitation is thin for being away from the posh activities of society.
2.1. Rock cut Temple (Vritta Chaitya) Datable to the 3rd-2nd century BC, the vritta chaitya is circular on plan and enshrines a rock cut votive stupa provided with a small circumambulatory path around it. Locally known as ‘Dharmalingeswara’, it has vaulted domical ceiling marked by carved ribs while its exterior shows an arched facade, with ornamental rafts resembling famous Sudama and Lamasrishi caves of Bihar.
In developing such kind of peaceful environment most of them settled at the hill slopes, in forests and at the banks of rivers. At the initial stage to safeguard them self during the different seasons of rainy, winter and summer they starts dwelling into the open ground called pits and they used to take shelter in them by covering them with leaves.
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