| Pavurallakonda | |
| Other Name: | Pavurallabodu |
| Settlement Type: | Protected Buddhist Monument |
| Pushpin Map: | India Visakhapatnam |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Visakhapatnam, India |
| Coordinates: | 17.8886°N 83.4372°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Andhra Pradesh |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Visakhapatnam |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Telugu |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
| Blank1 Name Sec1: | Nearest city |
| Blank1 Info Sec1: | Visakhapatnam |
Pavurallakonda or Pavurallabodu is a hill popularly known as Narasimhaswamy Konda. It is located near Bheemunipatnam, about 25km north of Visakhapatnam, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, at a height of about 150 meters above sea level.
Pavurallakonda consists of a ruined hilltop Buddhist monastic complex that witnessed human habitation anywhere from the 3rd century BCE to the 2nd century CE. It is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the North Coastal Andhra Region. Hinayana Buddhism may have been practiced at this hilltop site.
The initial excavation of this site yielded many relics.[1] Among the ruins are two Brahmi label inscriptions, foundations of Viharas, circular chaityas, votive stupas, and halls. Coins, polished ware,[2] beads, and other artifacts were recovered from the site by the state archaeology department[3] of Andhra Pradesh. Nearly sixteen rock-cut cisterns were carved on the hill for the storage of rainwater. Excavations and restoration programs are ongoing at Pavurallakonda.
The Gosthani River flows close by this site. This site is contemporary with the nearby Buddhist sites in Visakhapatnam district, like Bavikonda and Thotlakonda.[4]
The Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has appealed to the authorities to ensure better protection of Buddhist sites after Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Pavurallakonda, and Bojjannakonda were designated as heritage sites by UNESCO.[5] [6] This will not only pave the way for a steady flow of funds but also generate employment opportunities for the locals.
Pavurallakonda, in general, gives the meaning as 'The Hill of the Pigeons' (pavuralu in Telugu means pigeons and konda means hill). However, some studies conducted at this site suggest that it may be known as Pavurallakonda due to the availability of white stones on the hillock (pavurallu means "white stones" locally). The origin of the name of this site needs clarification.