13th Century Amitabha Buddha sculpture found at Vuyyuru mandal

Vijayawada: A black stone sculpture of Buddha seated in Padmasana was found at Meduru village in Vuyyuru mandal of Krishna district. Based on the information given by Loya Srinivasa Rao and Jonnalagadda Ramulu of the village, Dr E Sivanagi Reddy, Buddhist archaeologist and CEO of the Cultural Centre of Vijayawada & Amaravati (CCVA), inspected the idol on Thursday as part of Preserve Heritage for Posterity, a heritage awareness campaign launched by the CCVA.

He said that the idol was recovered from below the ground level during the construction of Ramalayam at the centre of the village. It is also said that the Buddha, seated in full Padmasana in Dhyana mudra (contemplating meditation) with Dharma Chakra marks on the right foot and right hand, giving clue to say that the sculpture represents Amitabha Buddha, datable to the 12th-13th centuries AD based on the stylistic grounds.

Dr Reddy said that the upper part of the idol above the chest was missing and was restored with cement by the local masons.  He sensitised the villagers to shift it inside the Ramalayam to safeguard it from sun and rain. Similar Amitabha Buddha sculptures of the same period were found from Amaravati in Guntur district, Motupalli in Prakasam district, Kantheru and Kollapattu in Nellore district, added Dr Reddy.

Dr V Vallabharao, Dr Gumma Sambhasiva Rao, and Golla Narayana Rao, president of Andhra Arts Academy participated in the programme.