AMARAVATHI
Historical | 
Pilgrimage
Distance (From Vijayawada): 40 Kms
Visited From: Vijayawada
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
Transportation Options: Bus / Cab
Website: NA
Phone No: NA
Address: NA
Travel Tips: None
At a distance of 40 Kms from Vijayawada, 33 Kms from Guntur, 105 Kms from Nagarjuna Sagar & 253 Kms from Hyderabad, Amaravati, on the banks of River Krishna, is the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center.
It is best known for the Great Stupa or Maha Chaitya, believed to have been 32m height and 32m diameter, larger than the one at Sanchi (Bhopal). The origins of the stupa go back to the 2nd / 3rd century BC, the reign of Ashoka. The Stupa is partly reconstructed on the same site. The excavations by Colin Mackenzie in 1797 recovered the magnificent railings and sculptured friezes.
Amaravathi is also known for the Amaralingeswara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva built in 10th/11th century by eastern Chalukyas.
The Archaeological Museum includes collections from Buddhist sites belong to 3rd century BC to 12th century. It contains panels, chakras and caskets containing relics, broken railings and sculptures etc, arranged in different galleries. Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM. Friday Closed.
