Nelakondapalli Buddhist site in Telangana to be developed as international heritage and tourism destination: Minister

The historic Buddhist Stupa at Nelakondapalli and its surrounding areas in the Palair Assembly constituency of Khammam district will be developed into an international Buddhist heritage and tourism destination, informed Revenue, Housing and Information and Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.

The Minister laid the foundation stone for tourism facilities and the restoration and conservation of the protected Buddhist site at Nelakondapalli on Monday.

Highlighting the ancient site’s rich heritage and historical significance, the Minister said excavations conducted there in the past had unearthed several antiquities, which were subsequently preserved at a museum in Hyderabad.

He said a meeting would be held at Nelakondapalli to seek the views and suggestions of Buddhist monks, experts and local people on transforming the ancient site into a major tourism destination while preserving its rich heritage for future generations.

Director of the Department of Heritage K. Arjun Rao and Khammam Collector Divakara T.S. were present.