Vijayawada: A group of experts from the Buddhist Digital Experience Museum visited the Nagarjunakonda Island Museum and nearby structures on Thursday as part of their study at the Buddhavanam project in Nagarjunasagar. Dr. E. Sivanagi Reddy, Buddhist expert and CEO of Pleach India Foundation, briefed the five-member expert team, led by Prof. Sarah Kenderdine (New Zealand), during their visit to Buddhavanam.
Reddy explained the significance of the Buddhist sculptures and inscriptions on display at the museum, alongside the reconstructed brick structures of Buddhist stupas, chaityas, and viharas from the Ikshwaku period (3rd century CE). These artefacts were relocated from Sriparvata-Vijayapuri, the ancient capital city of the Telugu people, as part of salvage archaeological operations conducted between 1954 and 1960.
He also informed the team about the recovery of Lord Buddha's holy relics from the Maha Stupa during excavations. Following the museum tour, the team visited Mahastupa and Sinhala Vihara, where Kamal Hasan, Deputy Superintending Archaeologist and in-charge of the Museum, explained the historical significance of the excavations led by Dr. R. Subramanyam and presented a brochure about the museum.
Dr. Sivanagi Reddy added that Dr. Syamsundar Rao, Dr. Ravichandra, and other officers involved in the Buddhavanam project also participated in the visit.
