Guntupalli Buddhist Caves

The Guntupalle or Guntupalli Group of Buddhist Monuments is located near Kamavarapukota, Eluru district, in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India [1]. The rock-cut part of the site has two Buddhist caves, a chaitya hall and a large group of stupas [1]. The chaitya hall has a rare carved stone entrance replicating wooden architecture, a simpler version of that at the Lomas Rishi Cave [1]. There are remains of structural buildings in brick and stone, including remains of two vihara made of brick, as well as excavated caves at two levels, including an unusual structural chaitya hall (that is, one built above ground) [1]. The core of this consists of the stone stupa with an enclosed path around it allowing ritual parikrama (circumambulation) [1]. They mostly date to 200-0 BCE, with some sculptures added later [1]. The main building above ground is in brick, around a stone stupa, with over 30 smaller stupas on a terrace in front of it [1]. During excavation, three relic caskets were found [1].