Amaravathi (the capital of Andhra Pradesh from 2014)
is the temple town, situated on River Krishna bank in Andhra Pradesh. Amaravati
has lately been in much news in terms of being the likely capital of Andhra
Pradesh. This
makes the history and significance of Amaravathi an important topic for
competition examinations. This article is written to cover the topic
holistically to be able to answer all questions that may arise from this topic.
Amaravati
is located 32 km from Guntur and 39 km from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh on the
right bank of river Krishna. Amaravathi
is one of the few places where the river flows north instead of south or east.
This has been considered auspicious. The Satavahanas chose Dharanikota to build
their capital, at two km from Amaravathi town, over two thousand years ago.
History of Amaravathi, the Imperial
City:
The recorded history of Amaravati and Dharanikota is
from 2nd century BCE. It was the telugu capital of Andhra Satavahanas who ruled
from 2nd century BCE – 3rd century CE. The Satavahana era lied in between
the Maurya and Gupta eras. They ushered in post maryan period and had cultural impact on people of Andhra, Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Gujrat and Madhya Pradesh significantly. Satavahanas preserved
Hinduism and also fostered Buddhism presenting a wonderful example of openness
and enlightened thinking.
Reign of Satavahanas:
The
Amaravati town and the neighbouring Dharanikota were the imperial capital for
the Satavahanas who succeeded the Mauryas. Satavahanas also contributed to
Buddhist art and architecture after Ashoka the Satavahanas were the ones who built imposing
stupas in the country, particularly in the Krishna river valley.
After
decline of Satavahanas, Andhra Ikshvakus came to rule the Krishna river
valley region followed by Pallava kings. Subsequently, Eastern Chalukyas
and Telugu Cholas controlled the region. In medieval times, the Kota Kings were
in control of Amaravati who were later subdued by Kakatiyas in 11th century CE.
Later Amaravati became part of the unified Telugu empire under the Vijayanagara
empire.
Amaravathi
with different religions:
- People of region worship Lord Amaralingeswara Swamy with much devotion and reverence
- The region has rich Buddhist history with Amaravati stupa
- Later dynasties which came after satavahanas patronised Jainism as well.
- Hence, the city is also known as Sridhanyakataka or ‘City of Tolerance’.
The
Satavahanas were patrons of Hinduism, the ancient temple of Amaralingeshwara
(Shiva) gave the name of Amararamam to the city.
Hence,
the city of Amaravathi is named after Amareswara Swamy Temple, which is one of
the Pancharamas. Amaravati is also known as
‘Punyakshetra’.
The legend of Amaravati:
When
Subramanya (Shiva) 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.
Buddhist history of Amaravathi
Amaravati
was a seat of Buddhism prior to the rise of Satavahanas, and a stupa and
monastery were built there during the reign of Emperor Ashoka (269-232 BC)
under Mauryan empire.
The
great stupa or Mahachaitya at Amaravati was one of the biggest in
Andhra Pradesh with a probable diameter of 50 meters and a height of 27 meters.
Buddhist Legends of Amaravathi:
According
to ‘Vajrayana’ buddhism traditional sources, the Buddha preached at Dharanikota
(Dhanyakatakam) and also conducted the ‘Kalachakra’ ceremony. This legend takes
the antiquity of Amaravati back to 500 BCE.
Taranath,
the Buddhist monk of tibetan buddhism writes in his History of Buddhism: “On
the full moon of the month Chaitra in the year following his enlightenment, at
the great stupa of Dhanyakataka, Buddha emanated the mandala of “The Glorious
Lunar Mansions” (Kalachakra). This description shows that Dhanyakatakam
(Amaravati) was a very significant place marking the origin of many
Buddhist Tantric teachings especially, Kalchakra.
The
Amaravati Buddhist sculptures are famous for their uniquness. There have been
slabs with Buddhist inscriptions as found in the Buddhist shrine of Amaravati.
It is home to best known 2000 years old Buddhist relics, which makes the place
an important pilgrimage centre for the Buddhists. The Amaravati
Mahachaitya (The Great Stupa), was built around the 2nd century.
The
Amaravati stupa must have been the largest stupa in the whole country.
Earlier structure of the stupa was a simple structure, with limestone crossbars
and simple carvings, but was later renovated by the Satavahana rulers, after
which it became a highly marked architectural monument. Amaravathi Stupa
is also believed to have been constructed with the efforts of the great saint,
Acharya Nagarjuna.
Amaravathi
Stupa : The stupa found to be engraved with intricate carvings
depicting the life and teachings of Lord Buddha. This is a Sariraka
type of stupa and hence it’s of great importance.Mahastupas are known as
‘Sariraka Stupa’ (containing buried bodily remains of Lord Buddha), Other type
of Stupa are: Paribhogika stupa (containing buried belongings of the Buddha).
A
legend says that, after the death of Buddha his remains were kept at eight
places in stupas by his disciples. But Ashoka, when embraced Buddhism after the
great Kalinga war in 3rd century BC, had removed the relics. He is believed to
have kept the remains of Buddha at 84,000 places in the world in order to
spread Buddhism across the globe.
In
conclusion, Amaravati was a place of ancient worship for followers of different
faiths.
