Thotlakonda

Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex is situated on a hill near Bheemunipatnam about 15 kilometres from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India. The hill is about 128 metres above sea level and overlooks the ocean. The Telugu name Toṭlakoṇḍa derived from the presence of a number of rock-cut cisterns hewn into the bedrock of the hillock. “Thotlakonda" may also mean “hill of cisterns.” In 2019, the stupa was partially damaged due to monsoons, but it was restored by 2021 at the cost of Rs 42 lakh.

Thotlakonda was well within the influence of Kalinga, an important source of dissemination of Buddhism to Sri Lanka and various parts of Southeast Asia. Also, it was one of the ports of entry for pilgrims arriving via th sea to visit prominent Buddhist places located near the 83.3 degree Meridian East. Thotlakonda's history provides an insight into the process of transoceanic diffusion of Indic culture, especially Buddhism.