About 350 kilometers from Hyderabad, Amravati is also known as Amareshvaram. The erstwhile capital of the Satavahana Dynasty, it is believed to be one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India. As a tourist destination Amravati is especially famous for housing the largest Stupa in the country, known as the Mahachaitya Stupa, which was built in the 2nd century. Discovered by a British archeologist, Colonel Collin Mackenzie in 1797 the Stupa is not only popular in Amaravati, it is one of the must visit attractions in Andhra Pradesh as well.
It is home to the Amaravati Stupa- a famous specimen of the Buddhist art and ancient Indian architecture. Amaravati is around 65 kms from the city of Vijayawada and is visited by hundreds of tourists and pilgrims from all parts of the country.
Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh is located on the banks of the River Krishna and is a great relic of the grand architecture of the Buddhist school of architecture. Amravati was the ancient capital of the Satavahana dynasty. It came under the influence of the Buddhist faith through the Kushanas of Mathura. The town also has a 2000-year-old Buddhist settlement and a temple of Lord Amaresvara.
The Amaravati Stupa is the most popular attraction of Amaravati. It is a major relic of the Mauryan architecture in South India. Lord Buddha is represented in various forms through beautiful sculptures in the Amaravati Stupa. There are grand carvings and sculptures which portray the life of Buddha and his various incarnations from the Jataka tales. Most of the archaeological specimens of the Stupa originate from the Vajrayana teachings of Kalachakra.
Tourist Attractions in Amravati:
A tour to Amravati will offer a wide selection of tourist attractions like many famous Buddhist carvings, murals and panels. The Stupa found in this region dates back to the times of Emperor Ashoka is another important tourist site in Amravati.
The Amreswara Temple in Amravati houses a massive lingam. This temple is considered extremely sacred by the locals and is an important site to visit during a tour to Amravati.
The mounds of Dharankota, on the west of Amravati, Nagarjunakonda and Amravati together form the popular Golden Triangle of Buddhism in Andhra Pradesh.
Best Time to Visit Amaravati:
October till February
How to get there:
Amravati is well connected from different parts of the country by rail, road and air. The nearest airport is at Vijayawada, which is about 80 kilometers away. The nearest railway station is at Guntur and Vijayawada. Buses and taxis are available to travel to Amravati by road.
