Amaravathi is a village located on the banks of the Krishna River in the Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh, India.[4] It serves as the administrative centre of Amaravathi mandal[5] and lies within the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region. Known for its cultural heritage, Amaravathi lends its name to the state's newly planned capital, Amaravati, located 35 kilometers to the east. Amaravathi is notable for its prominent place in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions.[6]
Amaravathi | |
|---|---|
Village | |
Ratha Yatra ceremony at Amareswara temple Dhyana Buddha statue Town entrance AP Museum Dhyana Buddha Ghat Dhyana Buddha Museum Amaravati Mahastupa | |
| Etymology: Abode of the immortals | |
 Dynamic map | |
  Amaravathi Location in Andhra Pradesh, India  Amaravathi Amaravathi (Andhra Pradesh) | |
| Coordinates: 16°34′23″N 80°21′29″E / 16.573°N 80.358°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| District | Guntur |
| Mandal | Amaravathi mandal |
| Founded | 1790 |
| Named for | Amararama |
| Government | |
| • Type | Panchayati raj |
| • Body | Amaravathi gram panchayat |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,524 ha (3,766 acres) |
| Population (2011)[3] | |
• Total | 13,400 |
| • Density | 880/km2 (2,300/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Telugu |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 522020 |
| Area code | +91–8645 |
| Vehicle registration | AP |
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The place is named after the Amareswara Temple, one of the Pancharama Kshetras, significant Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Siva.[7] It is also home to the ancient Amaravati Stupa, a Buddhist monument from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE.[8][9] This stupa, now under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India, exemplifies the Amaravati School of Art, a style that had a lasting influence on Buddhist art throughout South and Southeast Asia.[7] Designated as one of India’s centrally protected Monuments of National Importance, the stupa and its surrounding ruins hold great cultural value.[10]
Amaravathi is located near Dhanyakataka (modern Dharanikota), which once served as the capital of the Satavahana dynasty.[11] Key landmarks in Amaravathi also include the Amaravathi Heritage Centre and Museum, which preserves artifacts from its ancient past,[12] and the Dhyana Buddha statue, a prominent modern sculpture representing the village's Buddhist heritage.[13] The village, with a population of around 13,400 as per the 2011 census, is also recognized under the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme for heritage conservation and development.[14][15]
Toponymy
editThe name Amaravathi translates to "The Abode of Immortals."[16] The place is named after the Amareswara Temple, one of the Pancharama Kshetras, significant Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Siva.[7]
History
editEarly history
editAmaravathi is said to have a continuous history spanning at least 2,300 years.[17] According to the tradition of the Kalachakra Tantra, Gautama Buddha is believed to have visited the Andhaka region (modern-day Dhanyakataka) to deliver sermons. During the rule of Emperor Ashoka, the region remained on the periphery of the Maurya Empire, but with the emergence of the Satavahana dynasty around 225 BCE, Amaravathi became their eastern capital, with Pratisthana (modern Paithan) serving as their western capital.[18]
The Amaravati Stupa, an ancient Buddhist monument, is one of the most prominent sites in South India. Discovered by a local zamindar in the late 18th century, it has undergone multiple excavations over the centuries. The stupa's origins likely date to the post-Mauryan period (c. 200–100 BCE), with evidence of later renovations. Early sculptures from the site exhibit signs of repurposing, indicating that the stupa’s architectural components were significantly modified over time.[19]
During the Satavahana period, Amaravathi and Sannati (in Gulbarga District, Karnataka) developed a distinct artistic style known as the Amaravati School of Art, comparable to the Mathura and Gandhara schools in Central and Northwestern India. Buddhist sculptures, including images of Vajrasana, Muchulinda Naga, and key episodes from Buddha's life, as well as memorial stones, were crafted in this style, characterized by intricate detailing and unique thematic elements.[20] These sculptures were exported to Sri Lanka, where they contributed to the spread of Buddhism. Amaravathi’s monasteries and educational institutions attracted scholars from across India, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. The Ikshvaku dynasty, which ruled the region in the 3rd to 4th centuries CE, continued to support these Buddhist institutions even after the decline of the Satavahanas.[21] The Skanda Purana provides accounts of Amaravathi’s religious and cultural significance, particularly focusing on the Shiva temple.[22]
Medieval history
editThe Mahachaitya at Amaravati, locally known as Dipaladinne ("Hill of Lamps"), was first recognized for its historical significance by Colonel Colin Mackenzie in 1797. The mound, located on the southern bank of the Krishna River, was being excavated on the orders of zamindar Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu, who had recently moved his seat of power from Chintapalli to Amaravati. As part of establishing the new township, Venkatadri Nayudu invited settlers from surrounding areas and provided support for building activities. Materials from Dipaladinne, including large bricks and sculptured marble slabs, were repurposed for construction, such as for the Sivaganga tank. Despite initial hopes of uncovering treasures, the zamindar's excavation yielded no valuables, and some sculpted slabs were defaced before being used in local mosques to prevent their association with idolatry.[23][24]
News of these findings reached Mackenzie, who briefly visited and assessed the site's archaeological potential. In 1818, he returned with a team to create detailed drawings and recover some sculptured pieces.[24] Later, Walter Elliot (1803–1887) further excavated the Amaravati Stupa, sending a significant portion of artifacts, known as the "Elliot Marbles," to the British Museum.[25]
The Great Stūpa or Mahācaitya
edit
The Mahachaitya, or Amaravati Stupa, is the most prominent historic monument in Amaravathi. Built in phases between the 3rd century BCE and around 250 CE, it was later expanded with new sculptures by the Satavahanas around 50 CE. Protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, the site includes the stupa ruins and an adjacent museum housing artifacts from the site.[26] In 2006, the Dalai Lamavisited Amaravati, performing Kalachakra Mahasamalanam during the Kalachakra festival.[27]
The Amaravati Stupa is celebrated for its influence on ancient Indian art, forming one of three major schools along with Mathura and Gandhara.[28] Its art style, known as the Amaravati or Andhra style, significantly influenced art in South India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Today, notable sculptures from the stupa are held in museums, including the British Museum in London and the Government Museum in Chennai, reflecting the stupa’s historic prominence as a major monument in Buddhist Asia.[29]
Geography
editAmaravathi is situated at 16°34′46″N 80°18′40″E / 16.579444°N 80.311111°E. It is spread over an area of 1,524 ha (3,770 acres).[2]
Demographics
edit
As of 2011[update] Census of India, the town had a population of 13,400 with 3,316 households. The total population constitute, 6,432 males and 6,958 females—a sex ratio of 1,082 females per 1,000 males. 1,321 children are in the age group of 0–6 years, of which 647 are boys and 674 are girls—a ratio of 1,042 per 1,000. The average literacy rate stands at 71.3% with 8,617 literates, higher than the state average of 67.4%.[3][30]
Government and politics
editAmaravathi gram panchayat is the local self-government of the village.[1] It is divided into wards and each ward is represented by a ward member.[31] The village as a part of Amaravathi mandal, which is part of the Pedakurapadu assembly constituency.[32] The present MLA representing the constituency is Bhashyam Praveen from TDP.[33]
Culture
edit
The town is a centre of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists. The inscriptions on the walls of the Amareswara temple depicts the reign of Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu who ruled before the advent of British rule. He was well known for his benevolence, munificence and for the construction of a large number of temples and education centres in the Krishna River delta.[34] It also hosts a 125-foot tall statue of the Buddha, known as the Dhyana Buddha.[13] The ancient structures and replicas can be found at Kalachakra museum, which was renamed the Amaravathi Heritage Centre and Museum.[12] The ancient Buddhist stupa and other ruins make up one of the centrally protected Monuments of National Importance.[10] The main Hindu festivals celebrated are Mahasivaratri and the Navaratri. The 30th Kalachakra festival, a popular Buddhist ritual, was held at Amaravathi in the first week of January 2006. It is one of the oldest tourist places for Buddhists.[35]
Transport
edit
The only means of connectivity for the village is by road. The Vijayawada–Amaravathi Road connects the village with cities of Vijayawada, Tenali, Guntur, and with the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region areas of Undavalli, Penumaka, Rayapudi.[36] The Guntur–Amaravathi Road connects it with the district headquarters, Guntur.[37] It also has road connectivity from Sattenapalle, Mangalagiri and Krosuru. APSRTC operates buses from major bus stations like NTR bus station in Guntur, Pandit Nehru bus station in Vijayawada and the Tenali bus station.[37][38][39] The village has no rail connectivity.
A waterway categorised as class–III is planned from Pulichintala to Prakasam Barrage, which connects the nearby villages of Harishchandrapuram and Vykuntapuram.[40]
Education
editAs per the school information report for the academic year 2018–19, the village has a total of 17 schools. These schools include 4 MPP, one KGBV and 12 private schools.[41]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Gram Panchayat Identification Codes" (PDF). Saakshar Bharat Mission. National Informatics Centre. p. 95. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
- ^ a b "District Census Hand Book : Guntur (Part B)" (PDF). Census of India. Directorate of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh. 2011. pp. 14, 252. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- ^ a b "Population". Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- ^ Miryala, Dr Ramesh Kumar (2015). Trends, Challenges & Innovations in Management – Volume III. Zenon Academic Publishing. p. 278. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ^ "District Census Handbook : Guntur" (PDF). Census of India. Directorate of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh. 2011. pp. 5, 328–329. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ^ "After 18 centuries, Amaravati set to become a 'capital' again". The Times of India. 22 October 2015. Archived from the original on 25 October 2015.
- ^ a b c H. Sarkar; S. P. Nainar (2007). Amaravati (5th ed.). Archaeological Survey of India. pp. 1–2.
- ^ "Amaravathi". British Museum. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017.
- ^ "Forget the Kohinoor, could we have the Amaravathi Stupa sculptures back please?". Scroll.in. May 2016. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017.
- ^ a b "Centrally Protected Monuments". Archeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
- ^ V.Rishi Kumar (23 January 2018). "The capital of Satavahanas has come a full circle". The Hindu Business Line. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
- ^ a b Varma, P. Sujatha (25 July 2016). "Kalachakra Museum regains lost sheen". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
- ^ a b "Tallest Dhyana Buddha to be ready in Amaravathi". Deccan Chronicle. 15 September 2014.
- ^ "Heritage City Development Scheme (HRIDAY) launched : Centre to fund entire expenditure". Press Information Bureau. Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, India. 21 January 2015. Archived from the original on 11 April 2015.
- ^ "Spotlight to shift on intangible heritage". The Hindu. November 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ Ravikumar, Aruna (13 August 2016). "A river of talent". The Hans India. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
- ^ "Ancient sculptures found in Amaravati". The Hindu. 6 September 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
- ^ Gangaiah, K. (2018). "Social Reform in Medieval Andhra: Caste and Untouchability". Indian History Congress. 79: 5. JSTOR 26906262.
- ^ Shimada, Akira (2006). "The Great Railing at Amarāvatī: An Architectural and Chronological Reconstruction". Artibus Asiae Publishers. 66 (1): 89.
- ^ Sundara, A. (1984). "Presidential address: Archaeology and national integration". Indian History Congress. 45: 854.
- ^ Teekah, Ethan (11 August 2024). "Amaravati | Andhra Pradesh, Capital, Map, History, & Development | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ Skanda Purana In: Puranic Encyclopedia, 1975, Vettam Mani, Motilal Banarsidas, New Delhi
- ^ C. Sivaramamurti (1956). Amaravati Sculptures In The Madras Government Museum. Madras Government Museum. p. 1.
- ^ a b H. Sarkar; S. P. Nainar (2007). Amaravati (5th ed.). Archaeological Survey of India. p. 3.
- ^ Noltie, H. J. (October 2011). "A botanical group in Lahore, 1864". Archives of Natural History. 38 (2) – via Edinburgh University Press.
- ^ "Archaeological Museum, Amaravati - Archaeological Survey of India".
- ^ "Dalai Lama's second visit to A.P. in a decade". The Hindu. 9 February 2017. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ Pal, Pratapaditya (1986). Indian Sculpture: Circa 500 B.C.-A.D. 700. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. p. 154. ISBN 978-0-520-05991-7.
- ^ PDF List from the BASAS Project
- ^ "Literacy of AP (Census 2011)" (PDF). Official Portal of Andhra Pradesh Government. p. 43. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
- ^ Seetharam, Mukkavilli (1990). Citizen Participation in Rural Development. Mittal Publications. p. 34. ISBN 9788170992271.
- ^ "Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008" (PDF). Election Commission of India. p. 22. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
- ^ "Member's Report". Andhra Pradesh Legislature Assembly. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
- ^ Sri Raja Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu, 1973, K. Lakshminarayana, Ponnuru <http://www.openlibrary.org/details/rajavasireddyven022548mbp Archived 25 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine>
- ^ "India forgot Buddha for 1,000 years: Sircar". The Times of India. 23 June 2015.
- ^ "Four lane road to Andhra Pradesh new capital soon".
- ^ a b Srinivas, Rajulapudi (25 October 2013). "25 passengers rescued from stranded APSRTC bus in Narsaraopet". The Hindu. Guntur. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ "RTC to introduce bus services in Guntur city". Deccan Chronicle. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "Bus services to Amaravathi from Guntur". Archived from the original on 16 May 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
- ^ "River Route Planned for Amaravathi". The New Indian Express. 26 November 2015. Archived from the original on 26 November 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ "School Information". Commissionerate of School Education. Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
Bibliography
edit- Ramaswami, N. S. (1971). Indian Monuments. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 978-0-89684-091-1.
External links
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