Amateur archaeologists of coastal Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday pledged to extend their support to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the conservation of Buddhist monuments and relics.
Accompanied by locals, the amateur archaeologists from Krishna and Guntur districts on Wednesday celebrated the International Museum Day at the Buddhism Museum being run by the ASI at Ghantasala village in Krishna district. The villagers appealed to the ASI authorities to collect the Buddhist remains on their village outskirts ensuring conservation of the relics and various precious remains of Buddhism. The group also inspected the existing condition of the Ghantasala Buddhist stupa and maintenance of the ASI museum here during the celebrations.
Former ASI Deputy Director R. Venkateswara Rao said the State government was seriously working on encouraging and promoting Buddhist tourism in Krishna district on par with Amaravati in Guntur district.
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“The local communities can expect great encouragement by the State government to shape the Ghantasala village into a must-see Buddhist place in the Krishna district,” opined Mr. Venkateswara Rao. Mohammed Silar, a Machilipatnam-based amateur historian, highlighted that the ASI and the State government should focus on collection and preservation of Buddhist relics within the area of the Ghantasala village.
In a bad shape
“The condition of the Ernampadu mound in Ghantasala and the Gudivada mound presents a pathetic look of the historically important sites. We will join the ASI for conservation,” said Mr. Silar.
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The villagers of Ghantasala also pledged to help the ASI in the collection of any Buddhist monument or remain to keep them in the village museum as it would bring laurels to their village apart from promoting Buddhist tourism. Another Guntur-based amateur archaeologist K. Venkateswara Rao shared his experiences in exploring and identifying various historical sites in Andhra Pradesh.