- Salihundam
Salihundam is a village and panchayat in
Gara Mandal ofSrikakulam district inAndhra Pradesh ,India .It is situated on the south bank of
River Vamsadhara at a distance of 5 kilometers west ofKalingapatnam and 18 kilometers fromSrikakulam town.It was known as “Salivatika” (meaning rice emporium). But many called it "Salyapetika" (meaning box of bones or relics). There are a number of Buddhist stupas and a huge monastic complex on a hillock amidst scenic surroundings.
The site was first discovered by Gidugu Venkata Rama Murthy in 1919 AD. During excavations relic caskets, four stupas, a Chaityagriha, structural emples and a number of sculptures reflecting the three phases of
Buddhism - Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana were found dating back to about 2nd century B.C. to 12th century A.D. The statues of 'Tara' and 'Marichi' were discovered at this site and from here Buddhism spread toSumatra and other far-eastern countries.
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