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Ghantasala ghantasala | |
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 The Ghantasala stupa | |
 Interactive map of Ghantasala | |
.svg)  Ghantasala Location in Andhra Pradesh, India Show map of Andhra Pradesh Ghantasala Ghantasala (India) Show map of India | |
| Coordinates:16°10′9.62184″N80°56′39.3835199880193″E / 16.1693394000°N 80.944273199996672474°E /16.1693394000; 80.944273199996672474 | |
| Country | India |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| District | Krishna |
| Area | |
• Total | 12.21 km2 (4.71 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
• Total | 9,248 |
| • Density | 757.4/km2 (1,962/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Telugu |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 521133 |
| Telephone code | 08671 |
| Vehicle registration | AP 16 |
| Nearest city | Machilipatnam, Gudivada |
| Sex ratio | 10:9.8♂/♀ |
| Literacy | 60% |
| Lok Sabha constituency | Machilipatnam |
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Avanigadda |
Ghantasala is a village inKrishna district of theIndian state ofAndhra Pradesh. It is 21 km west ofMachilipatnam and 11 km east ofKrishna River. The largest city of this district,Vijayawada, is around 60 km away. It is a rare and reputed center forBuddhist sculptures. Kaṇṭakasola was the ancient name of Ghantasala. It was also mentioned byPtolemy (2nd century CE) as Kantakossyla.[2]
Ghantasala is a town and the headquarters ofGhantasala mandal inKrishna District of Andhra Pradesh. It is 21 km west of Machilipatnam and 11 km east of River Krishna. Kaṇṭakasola was the ancient name of Ghantasala. It was also mentioned byPtolemy as Kantakossyla.[2]
Boswell of the East India Company first reported Ghantasala as a historical site in 1870-71. Alexander Rea excavated the stupa at Ghantasala, which had a circumference of 112 feet and a height of 23 feet. The remains of an importantBuddhist stupa and sculptural slabs were found in 1919-20.[3] Ghantasala was once a flourishing town of Indo-Roman trade as well as an important religious centre. The Buddhist relics and the Hindu structures at the place reveal its past glory. Carved limestone columns belonging to pillared halls associated with Buddhist monastic establishments (2-3rd centuries BC ) have been discovered. The ruined Maha Chaitya or stupa that was excavated here is of a unique design. A cube of solid bricks is set in the centre, inscribed with 12 constellations of the zodiac.[4]
![Relief of a multi-storied temple, 2nd century CE, Ghantasala Stupa.[5][6]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aAndhra_pradesh%2c_santuario_a_pi%25C3%25B9_piani%2c_da_ghantasala%2c_90-110_ca..JPG)
The chaityas had a texture and size unique to theSatavahana times and had separate dwelling places for Buddhist monks in the complex. All walls were found to have beautiful plastering with superfine lime mortar. A three-dimensional limestone carved structure, embellished on the dome portion of the stupa had twogarland bearers, a dhamma chakra and a miniature stupa on a throne in the middle. Objects such as a four-by-three-feet 'Purna Kalasa' containing lotus flowers, indicating the birth ofGautama Buddha were also discovered. The stupa had concentric inner wheels radiating towards a central chamber.primary amongst them is a raised cylindrical mound with a semi spheric
Hand-loom industry
Hand loom weaving is most predominant in the village.Mangalagiri andGadwal cotton sarees are the mostly weaved and are exported many parts of the country.[7]
Machilipatnam is connected by road and rail from Vijaywada.Vijaywada has an airport located some 20 km away atGannavaram.
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