Srikakulam

About Srikakulam: 

• It is a district place located in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
• It is home to numerous prominent Buddhist sites, Neolithic-era caves, and some of the oldest temples in the State.
• History
  • It was once part of the Kalinga Dynasty. Later it came under the rule of the Gajapati Kingdom during the medieval period, followed by the Eastern Chalukyas of Vengi. The area was a part of the Kakatiya and Vijayanagara empires as well.
• Buddhist sites (Dantapuri and Salihundam)
  • Salihundam has four stupas, relic caskets, sculptures of Buddhist deities Mareechi and Tara.
  • All the remnants were believed to be built between 2nd century BC and 12th century AD.
  • It is believed that Buddhism spread to Sumatra and other far-eastern countries from here.
• Jainism sites : Tangamayyakonda and Rottavalasa villages.
• Famous temples of Srikakulam
  • Arasavalli: The Sri Suryanarayana Swamy Temple, dedicated to the sun god, located in Arasavalli, is one of the two temples of its kind, the other being the most popular and magnificent Konark Sun Temple in Odisha.
  • Srimukhalingam: This temple, built in the Kalinga architectural style, is located by the Vamsadhara River and is dedicated to lord Srimukha Lingeswara. 

Q1: What is the Stupa?

The stupa is a symbol of the Buddha's enlightenment and his teachings. It represents the path to enlightenment, with the circular base representing the cycle of birth and death and the pinnacle representing the attainment of Nirvana.

Source: Scholars, historians on a mission to illuminate Srikakulam’s forgotten heritage