Amaravati Temple
Amaravati is also known as 'Punyakshetra'. When Subramanya killed the demon Tarakasura, the Shivalingam in his throat broke and fell in five different spots, which became the Pancharama kshetras. The foremost of these is Amareswara at Amaravati where Indra and the Devas are believed to have worshiped Shiva. Amareswaram is considered sacred because of three things, the Krishna River, an important 'Kshetra' with a 'Sthalamahatyam' and the 'Sri Mahalinga Murthy', which are three sacred principles embodied in one. It was also the capital of Satavahanas, the first great Andhra kings who ruled from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE, after the downfall of Maurya empire.
Amravati or Amareswaram is regarded holy because of the presence of the Krishna river, Sthalamahatyam, a vital Kshetra and the Sri Mahalinga Murthy. Five different forms of Lord Shiva are called 'Pranaveswara', 'Agasteswara', 'Kosaleswara', 'Someswara' and 'Parthiveswara'. Lord Shiva, present in the form of a 15 ft. high white marble Shiva lingam. the temple is surrounded by four high gopuras built in the typical Dravidian style
Original Shivalingam is said to have been held in worship by the seven rishis - Kasyapa, Atri, Gotama, Kousika, Bharadwaja, Vasishta, and Jamadagni. These rishis are believed to be present in the seven tributaries of Godavari.
The major festivals celebrated in the Amareswara temple are the Maha Shivaratri, falling on the 'Magha Bahula Dasami', the Navaratri and the 'Kalyana Utsavas'.
According to Vajrayana traditional sources, the Buddha preached at Dharanikota/Dhanyakatakam and conducted Kalachakra ceremony, which would take the antiquity of Amaravati back to 500 BCE. Taranatha, the Buddhist monk writes: "On the full moon of the month Caitra in the year following his enlightenment, at the great stupa of Dhanyakataka, Buddha emanated the mandala of "The Glorious Lunar Mansions" (Kalachakra). This shows that Dhanyakatakam (Amaravati) was a very important place a the time of composition of this tantra.
The recorded history of Amaravati and nearby Dharanikota is from 2nd century BCE. It was the capital of Andhra Satavahanas who ruled from 2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE. After the decline of Satavahanas, Andhra Ikshvakus and later Pallava kings ruled Krishna river valley. Subsequently, Eastern Chalukyas and Telugu Cholas held sway over the region. Kota Kings were in control of Amaravati during the medieval times. Kota kings were subdued by Kakatiyas in 11th century CE and Amaravati became part of the unified Telugu empire.The origin of the temple shrouded in mystery, though there are many legends, puranic and historical, about it.
The Amaravati Buddhist sculptures are world-famous.Slabs with Buddhist inscriptions were found in its groundwork, the temple is said to have been a Buddhist shrine in the previous times.famous for its world famous Buddhist sculptures. Home to best known 2000 years old Buddhist relics, which make the place an important pilgrimage for the Buddhists. The place is also identified as Dhanyakataka by several scholars, who connects Amaravati with the origin of many Tantric teachings especially, Kalachakra.
Amaravati Mahachaitya (The Great Stupa), built around the 2nd century must have been the largest stupa in the whole country. The stupa was earlier a simple structure with limestone crossbars and simple carvings, but when renovated by the Satavahana rulers, became a highly marked architectural monument. It is believed to have been constructed with the efforts of the great saint, Acharya Nagarjuna. Excavated a few years back, this stupa is engraved with intricate carvings that depict the life and teachings of Lord Buddha
Amaravati is situated twenty miles northwest of Guntur and is connected with it by a high-quality motorable road. At Amaravati, there is a Public Works Department Travelers Bungalow, some choultries and sheds for pilgrims' stay.
To reach the place by Air the nearest airport is Vijayawada (82 km).
By Rail, the nearest railheads are Guntur and Vijayawada. A good network of connects Guntur to Amaravati.
By Road, Amaravati is situated 20 miles northwest of Guntur and is connected by a good motorable road. Local Transportation: Taxis and buses are available from Guntur.
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