Amaravati Stupa

4.4

Location: Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh 522020, India

Estimated Visiting Time: 1-2 hours.

Amaravati Stupa is known as the great Buddhist stupa in Amaravati. Which is a ruined Buddhist monument, probably built between the 3rd century BC and about 250 CE and it is located in the town of Amaravati in the Guntur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The site is under the Archaeological Survey of India. This includes Stupa itself and the Amaravati Archaeological Museum across a campus. There are many ancient ruins all over India, one of which is the Amaravati Stupa. It is also known as the Mahachaitya or the Great Stupa, which is the biggest attraction among all other types of ruins.

Attraction

If you are an archaeologist or a debris investigator, this is a very good place for you. It is also a must-see for followers of the Buddha’s way of life. The information about the life of the Buddha inscribed on the stupa is capable of spreading knowledge.

Besides this place is so beautiful that you cannot take off your eyes from the views of this place.

In this place, there are so many nearby attractions and these are:

History

The Amravati Stupa dates back to the middle of the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC and is about 2000 years old. It was built during the reign of Ashoka the Great of the then Mauryan dynasty, who himself became a devoted devotee of the Buddha’s way of life and built a large number of Buddhist monuments across the Indian subcontinent and this stupa was an important place of worship until it was abandoned in the 14th century. With time, its structure weakens and deteriorates.

Gradually, it turned into ruins and at one point turned into ruins. History says that, in the late 18th century, the workmen of the local zamindar of Chintapalli, stumbled upon it while traveling. About a year later, a British army officer visited the site and was the first person to investigate. The name of the British army officer was Colin Mackenzie. Since then, several well-known archaeologists have visited the site and worked on it. Later, through many stories and histories, the stupa was decorated with limestone reliefs and carved figures of Lord Buddha, which is till now an unforgettable work of art for those who follow the lifestyle of Lord Buddha.

Inside/Outside Views

The Amravati Stupa is one of the largest stupas in the state of Andhra Pradesh, with a diameter of about 50 m and a height of about 27 m. It is made up of a circular altar, depicting Lord Buddha as an ordinary human being on top of an elephant. The high platforms of the stupa extend from four sides and this monument displays the then common Mauryan artifacts of South India. Most of the stones used to make the piles were used by local contractors to make lime mortar in the 19th century. Apart from this ruined Buddha stupa, many more sculptures have been found here, which have been removed but a few broken pillars still remind the significance of the monument and the glory of the past.

Opening Hours

Open from 9 AM to 6 PM in a week.

Entry & Others Fees

For INDIAN Visitor: Total ₹ 20
For FOREIGN Visitor: Total ₹ 250
For SAARC Visitor: Total ₹ 20
BIMSTEC Visitor: Total ₹ 20

Near Restaurants

There are many restaurants near Amaravati Stupa. Here are some good restaurants below for you-

Sri Durga Vilas Amaravathi
Hotel Vasavi
Sri Lakshmiganapati Tea&Tiffin Centre
Lakshmi Guntha Punugulu Hotel

Near Hotels

How to Reach

By Air: The Nearest Airport is situated in Vijayawada. After reaching the airport, you can easily hire taxis or cabs to reach your preferred destinations. City Buses, Luxury buses are also available from there.

By Train: The nearest railway station is in Vijayawada and it’s called ‘Vijayawada Railway Station. So, you’ve to reach Vijayawada Railway Station first, then you have to hire a taxi or cab or you have to take buses to reach the Amaravati Stupa.

By Road: Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS) is a bus station in Vijayawada is the main way to reach Amaravati Stupa by road. Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation provides a very well connection of bus services by road from Vijayawada to Amaravati. After reaching Amaravati, you can easily take a city bus or taxi/cab to reach the archeological museum.