Context- Recently the administration has succeeded in stopping an old practice of throwing stones at a Buddhist site called Bojjannakonda, located in Shankaram, Andhra Pradesh.

• The villagers here used to throw stones at a stomach-shaped figure in Bojjankonda as a demon, as part of an ancient practice
• However, after the intervention of ‘Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage-INTACH’, this practice, which was held on Kanuma day on January 16 after Makar Sankranti, is almost over.

Bojjanakonda and Lingalametta:

• Bojjanakonda and Lingalametta are twin Buddhist monasteries founded in the 3rd century BC.

These Buddhist sites belong to the three branches of Buddhism (Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana) –

• Theravada – Recognition of Buddha as a teacher.
• Mahayana- Buddhism was more devotional.
• Vajrayana – where more belief in tantra and esoteric form in Buddhist tradition.

The word Sankaram is derived from the word ‘Sangharama’.

• The site is famous for its stupas, stone-cut caves, brick-built structural figures, early historical pottery and coins from the Satavahana period of the 1st century BCE.
• The main stupa located here is carved out of stone rock and then covered with bricks. Images of Buddha are carved on the stones in the hills located here.
• Stupas made of monolithic stone can be seen at Lingalametta located here.

Point of attraction for tourism:

• A large number of tourists visit these Buddhist sites to see the Relic Casket, three chaityagrhas, stupas and Vajrayana sculpture located here.
• Visakhapatnam is also famous for Buddhist sites such as Thotlakonda, Appikonda and Bavikonda.

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage

INTACH was established in New Delhi in the year 1984 with the objective of disseminating and preserving information about cultural heritage in India.

• INTACH is currently recognized as one of the world’s largest heritage organizations.
• It is headquartered in New Delhi.
• INTACH has more than 190 branches in India.
• INTACH has done unprecedented work in preserving not only intangible heritage but also natural heritage.