Rajya Sabha, Press Information Bureau of India, Tuesday, July 25, 2006

The Minister of Culture, Smt. Ambika Soni told the Rajya Sabha today that the scientific clearance, carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India at Yernampadu mound, Ghantasala (District Krishna, Andhra Pradesh) in February-March 2006, has exposed remains of three square brick platforms which were served to enshrine Buddhist statues, known as Buddhist chaitya. These platforms were referred to as three dimensional structures. In addition, fragmentary limestone pillars, architectural members and pottery of the first and second century AD were discovered.

The Minister further informed that the Archaeological Survey of India carried out excavations at Yernampadu mound, Ghantasala (District Krishna, Andhra Pradesh) in 1984-85. Excavations revealed three cultural phases and among other things, remains of a Buddhist monastic complex. In 2006, the Archaeological Survey of India undertook scientific clearance work here and exposed above-mentioned structural remains and artifacts. After exposure, conservation and preservation of important archaeological remains were undertaken.

This information was given by the Minister in reply to a question by Smt. N.P. Durga.