| AMARAVATHI TEMPLE |
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| 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 worshipped 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. |
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| 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 typical Dravidian style. |
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| Original Shivalingam is said to have been held in worship by
the seven rishis - Kasyapa, Atri, Gowtama, Kousika, Bharadwaja, Vasishta and
Jamadagni. These rishis are believed to be present in the seven tributaries of
Godavari. |
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| The major festivals celebrated in the Amareswara
temple are the Maha Shivaratri, falling on the 'Magha Bahula Dasami', the
Navaratri and the 'Kalyana Utsavas'. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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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
Amravati with the origin of many Tantric teachings especially, Kalchakra.
Amravati 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 |
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| 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. |
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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
connect Guntur to Amaravati |
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| 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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