Salihundam is a Buddhist archaeological site on a forested hilltop overlooking the Vamsadhara River, about 45 kilometres north of Srikakulam town. The remains span the 2nd century BC to the 7th century AD and include several stupas, vihara (monk) cells, chaitya halls, and water tanks carved into the hillside. The main stupa has been partially restored; the others survive as overgrown mounds giving the site a quietly atmospheric, little-visited character quite unlike the more famous Buddhist sites of Andhra Pradesh.
The setting is as appealing as the ruins. The hilltop commands views across the Vamsadhara valley and the surrounding countryside, and the river visible below was once part of the trade network that brought Buddhism to the region from the northwest. The site is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India; there is a small museum at the base of the hill with sculptures and ceramics recovered during excavations. Allow two to three hours for the visit, including the climb up the hill.