Dhulikatta Buddhist Stupa, Telangana

Address

Dhulikatta Buddhist Stupa Vadkapur, Dhulikatta village, Telangana 505525

Diety

Buddha

Introduction

The Buddhist monastic complex at Vadkapur and Dhulikatta villages located on the right and left banks of Hussaini vague lies at a distance of 30 km from Karimnagar. The excavations brought to light a Buddhist Stupa, fortification walls, etc. One of the labels inscribed in Brahmi over a slab in this Stupa is Palaeographically datable to 2nd century B.C. The Stupa belonged to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism in which the anthropomorphic representation of Buddha was taboo. Here Buddha is showed in symbols such as his Chatra, Padukas, throne with Swastika, Pillar of fire etc. The Stupa consists of a lower pradakshana path, circular drum with Ayaka platforms on four cardinal directions i.e. on east, west, north and south and a dome. These ayaka platforms project from the main drum. This Stupa was beautified with carved lime stone slabs during the early Satavahna period and this embellishment is contemporary to the Barhut Stupa dated to the early Sunga period. This Buddhist stupa is completely ruined, and now the Buddha is sited under the tree. Among the limestone slabs Naga Muchilinda (a snake guarding the Buddha) is prominent.