Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati is a historical Buddhist site located about 35 km from Guntur railway station in Andhra. It can also be approached from Vijayawada which is about 20 km away. Launches along the river Krishna are also available during rainy season or winter when the water level is higher. Neighbouring village of Amaravati is Dharnikota which was ancient site of Dhanyakataka, the capital city of later Satavahanas of second century CE.

The antiquity of Amaravati and Dharanikota goes back to early stone age. Area between Guntur and Amaravati has yielded a few urn-burials and tools of megalithic culture. 

The Mahachaitya of Amaravati is the star attraction which was first discovered as earthen mound 20 feet high having a diameter of 90 feet in 1797 by Col. Colin Mackenzie. Subsequently excavations were carried out many times last being in 1973-74. Carbon dating revealed five periods of occupation of the site. Beginning of the settlement is said to be 5th century BCE.

A number of antiquities were recovered from Dharnikota, Alluru, Gummadidurru and Lingarajapalli. These include a gold necklace and five reliquaries. These reliquaries contained human bones may be of some senior Buddhist monks and gold flowers. This is a good place for students of ancient history and of Buddhist studies. 

Amaravati has many Buddhist monuments and sculptures dating back to 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE. Many of these relate to Ashokan period ( reign 268-232 BCE). All these monuments and archaeological museum are at walkable distances in the middle of the town. It's a small town and has few budget hotels and many beautiful temples. 

It can be visited from Vijayawada or Guntur in the morning and one can get back in the evening. Afternoons are hot here. We stayed in Vijayawada and had a to and fro same day trip to Amaravati. Next day also we had a re-look while going towards Nagarjunakonda en-route to Hyderabad. 

Some photographs:  

Remains of Buddhist Mahachaitya in Amaravati town, Andhra. As of now its height is about 2 m and diameter of 49.30 m. This is made up of large sized bricks measuring 57x28x7.6 cm and has wide paved Pradakshina-patha. It's construction was initiated during Ashokan reign in third century BCE. Subsequent changes and enlargements were made by Satvahanas, Ishvaku kings and Pallavas by adding sculptures etc

Another view of Mahachaitya 

Large number of artefacts were found here during excavations by Archaeological Survey of India at differen times. Some of them are displayed here and in nearby local museum. Some others are displayed in museums of Chennai and London 

This stone slab shows Buddha teaching his disciples. During that period Buddha was shown symbolically by an empty chair, impressions of his two feet or Paduka or a Bodhi tree. Usage of statues came later during the reign of Indo-Greek kings and Kanishka in North-West of India that is Afghanistan and Pakistan region  

 

The site has smaller Chaityas and Stupas also surrounding the Mahachaitya

This may have been parts of walls of meditation chambers may be 

Dome-slab showing Purna-kumbha. 1st - 2nd century, limestone. This slab was used in covering the dome of Stupa. Purna-kumbha is an auspicious symbol indicating fullness and contentment in life  

Inscribed pillar of Ashoka? 3rd century BCE in quartzite. This fragment was discovered 1958-59 from a house near Mahachaitya Amaravati. Text is in Brahmi script of Ashokan period and language is Prakrit.  It is too fragmented to convey any coherent meaning 

Maithuna Couple. 3rd century CE in limestone. Such loving couple is a celebrated theme in Indian art. They are shown in sensuous posture exhibiting pleasures of life. Metaphorical symbolism for human soul longing for union with the divine 

Standing life size Buddha in human form with 'marks of great man' - Mahapurusha Lakshanas 

Dharma Chakra or Wheel of Dharma. 3rd Century CE. Recovered from Lingarajapalli district Andhra Pradesh 

Presentation of Rahul to Buddha. Yashodhara is seen here presenting young son Rahul to Buddha who has arrived to meet the family after enlightenment. Buddha is symbolically shown here as vacant throne with his two feet or Paduka. In limestone dated first - second century CE found in Mahachaitya Amaravati.   

Broken statue of Gautam Buddha in Bhumi-sparsh Mudra or 'Touching the Earth' Mudra. It symbolises the getting of enlightenment while sitting under the Bodhi Tree 

Archaeological Museum Amaravati. Lots of such artefacts were recovered from nearby Mahachaitya Amaravati. On display in the museum 

Archaeological Museum, Amaravati, Andhra

  

Buddha and his disciples! Nearby Buddha Vihar in Amaravati town has huge statue of Gautam Buddha. Hall beneath the statue has beautiful frescos depicting Jataka tales and events from the life of Buddha

Buddhist Vihar as seen from the stairs near statue of Buddha

Image of Acharya Nagarjuna, Buddhist philosopher famous for doctrine of Shunyavada postulated in his book Mulamadhyamakakarika. Statue has been donated by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama. Situated opposite to the Museum and inaugurated by Tenzin Gyatso in 2006

On the way to Amaravati from Vijayawada

A room with a view! View from the Hotel in Vijayawada

Towards Vijayawada

Outskirts of Vijayawada

Dandi March statues in Vijayawada

While in Vijayawada you can visit Undavalli Caves. Photo from the main cave: reclining Anant Padmanabha Swamy. This image has been carved from a single stone and is 5 m in length. Head covered with a seven-faced- hood of Naga

Undavalli Caves in Vijayawada