Bavikonda Buddhist Site
- Hours
- Mon–Sun 09:00–17:00
- Entry fee
- Free
- Best time to visit
- October–February; morning
- From RK Beach
- 15 km
- Travel time
- 35 min by car
Hours and fees change often — please verify before visiting. Details last checked Oct 18, 2026.
About
Ancient hilltop monastery where a relic casket believed to hold the Buddha’s remains was found.
Bavikonda, “hill of wells”, is a Buddhist monastic site on a hill a few kilometres inland from Thotlakonda. It takes its name from the rock-cut cisterns that stored rainwater for the monks.
Excavations revealed a large stupa, an apsidal chaitya with a small brick stupa inside, votive stupas, a dining hall and rows of monks’ cells dating from about the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. A relic casket found here was believed to contain bone fragments of the Buddha.
Bavikonda is quieter than Thotlakonda and can be visited on the same morning.
Highlights
- Apsidal chaitya with a brick stupa inside
- Relic casket find
- Rock-cut cisterns
- Quieter than Thotlakonda
Things to do
- Visit together with Thotlakonda
- See the apsidal chaitya and cisterns
Safety notes
- Little shade — carry water.
- Do not climb the ruins.
Facilities
- ParkingAvailable
- ToiletsNot available
- Food stallsNot available
- Wheelchair accessNot available
How to reach
- Bus: Buses to PM Palem / Madhurawada, then auto.
- Auto: Autos from Madhurawada.
- Cab / car: Road to the hilltop.
- Train: Visakhapatnam Junction is about 18 km away.
Bavikonda hill, near Thotlakonda, Visakhapatnam 530048
Get directionsPhotos (12)
003 Maha Stupa, Bavikonda, Andhra Pradesh, photograph by Anandajoti Bhikkhu 002 Maha Stupa, Bavikonda, Andhra Pradesh, photograph by Anandajoti Bhikkhu 001 Chaitya Hall with Maha Stupa, Bavikonda, Andhra Pradesh, photograph by Anandajoti Bhikkhu 007 Chaitya Hall, Bavikonda, Andhra Pradesh, photograph by Anandajoti Bhikkhu 008 Brick-Built Chaitya, Bavikonda, Andhra Pradesh, photograph by Anandajoti Bhikkhu 010 Chaitya Hall with Viharas, Bavikonda, Andhra Pradesh, photograph by Anandajoti Bhikkhu Apsidal Stupa at Bavikonda Buddhist Monastic Ruins, Visakhapatnam Beautiful Vizag A Rock cut cistern at Bavikonda Buddhist site Partial view of maha stupa at Bavikonda Buddhist monstic ruins, Visakhapatnam 009 Chaitya Hall from the Front, Bavikonda, Andhra Pradesh, photograph by Anandajoti Bhikkhu 019 Dining Hall, Bavikonda, Andhra Pradesh, photograph by Anandajoti Bhikkhu
