Phanigiri

Dating back to 3rd century BC, the village Phanigiri seems to have derived its name from the shape of hillock located on the northern side of the village, which looks like a snake hood. In Sanskrit, Phani means Snake, Giri means hillock.

The excavations conducted here have yielded a Maha Stupa, a stone pillared congregation hall, three Viharas, two Apsidal Chaityagruhas, Sculptured panels including Jataka stories, Brahmi lable inscriptions belonging to Satavahana and Ikshavaku dynasties, coins belonging to Mahatalavarasa, Satavahana and Ikshavaku Kings.

This is the only site which yielded panels carved with Jataka Stories after Amaravati, Nagarjuna konda and Goli.