One of the most prominent Buddhist centers of South India and an interesting tourist spot in Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati attracts both pilgrims and picnickers from far and near.

How far?

Situated on the banks of the sacred Krishna river in Guntur district, Amaravati is 26 kilometers away from the north-west of Guntur town and 60 kilometers from Vijayawada. River Krishna takes a curve from north to south here. According to ancient beliefs, such places were considered as pious and temples were usually built along the banks of the river bed.

How to go? Where to stay?

Amaravati can be reached by train or bus from Vijayawada or Guntur. The route from Guntur to Amaravati is still an unmetalled road and leads one to the temple of Amareswara. Tourists can avail a comfortable accomodation at the Tourist complex or PWD travellers bungalow.

Except for the rainy season, one can visit Amaravati any time of the year. However, the best time to visit Amaravati is on the Shivaratri day when the place is bustling with pilgrims and there is an aura of festivity all around.

What to see?

From visiting the Shiva temple, seeing the Mahachaitya, to having a jolly boat ride on river Krishna, Amaravati has a lot to offer to the tourists. Earlier known as Dhanyakataka, Amaravati got its present name after the Amaraas who lived here.

Visitors throng the lofty temple of Amareswara to see the sacred linga believed to have been installed here by Lord Indra in the Dwaparyuga. However, the Buddhists assert that the temple belongs to the time of the Buddha as the temple edifice is in typical Buddhist style of architecture. The white marble lotus medallion on the dome above the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) is a fine example. It is believed that a complete picture of the temple is depicted in the Skanda Purana. Legends associated with the linga are many. According to Sthala Purana, between the fag end of dwaparyuga and the beginning of kaliyuga, the Saunakadi rishis once sought the advice of Narada Muni for attaining salvation. Narada advised them to appease Lord Shiva by doing penance along the banks of river Krishna. The Shiva lingam here, is in the form of five lingas - Pranavesvara, Agastesvara, Kosalesvara, Somesvara and Parthivesvara. There is a strong conviction that whoever stays at Amaravati for three days and worships Amareswara, attains salvation.

The temple walls have a number of inscriptions that throw light on the different dynasties that reigned over this place. Some of these include the Reddis of Kondavidu and Krishnadevaraya.

Amaravati is most famous for the large Mahachaitya stupa built during the 2nd century B.C.. Built of kiln-burnt bricks and marble slabs, the stupa is richly adorned with carvings depicting the life and teachings of the Buddha. Its dome reaches a height of 32 meters and measures 50 meters in diameter. The 5 meter wide pradakshanapatha is surrounded by a 4 meter high railing. At this stupa, the Buddha was revered as Amareswara. The stupa houses a small museum with a collection of old monuments and pictorial depiction of Buddha's life and teachings and terracotta articles among other antiquities.

What makes the trip to Amaravati most exciting is the boat ride on the cool, placid, clear blue waters of river Krishna. Local streamers carry visitors to the other end of the river in half an hour. There is a water route to Vijayawada also but the service is limited to twice a week.

For tourists coming from Vijayawada to Amaravati, the first stop could be Mangalgiri, famous for its ancient temple and cotton textiles which is gaining popularity in the fashion world. The Panakaalaswamy temple at Mangalgiri is built on a volcanic hill and closes by sunset. People talk about the panakam miracle here. It is said that when the panakam (prasad made of jaggery water) is poured as offering to the deity, only half is absorbed and the rest remains as it is - to be distributed among the devotees.

At the foothill of the hillock is another famous shrine with architectural splendor, the Meenakshi temple. About five kilometers from Amaravati, lies the cave temple of Lord Venkateswara at Vaikuntapuram. In all, the trip to Amaravati is fulfilling both as a pilgrimage center as well as a picnicking spot.