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These Ayaka Stambas which are five in number, are said to represent the five major incidents in
the life of Lord Buddha viz., Janana or Birth, Mahabhinishkramana or the great
renunciation, Samyak - Sambhodi or the perfect realization, Dharma Chakra Pravarthana or
the setting in motion of the wheel of Dharma, and Mahaparinirvana or the final absorption
of Lord Buddha into the Infinite. The Ayaka Stambas is a generally vertical pillar made of
white marble stone.
Andhra Desa and especially the Krishna river basin has been a famous seat of Buddhism, and many stupas have been found in this valley as for example at Amaravati, Goli, Jaggayyapeta, Gantasala etc., not to speak of the Mahachaitya at Nagarjunakonda. During the period of the revival of Hindu worship, some of these Chaityas
have been converted and re-adopted to Hindu worship. For example, in the Garbha Griha of the Amareswara temple of Amaravati in Guntur District, there is a typical white marble lotus medallion slab of 'he Buddhist type. The peculiar characteristic Buddhist types of bricks are also found iii the temple. It is therefore possible that the Buddhist Chaitya and the Ayaka Stambas have been re-converted into a Hindu temple and adapted for linga
worship. There is nothing irregular about this, since in whatever forms one worships the Lord, the place still retains its greatness.
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