Description:
Located on the banks of River Krishna, this sleepy little hamlet called Amaravati, or ( Amareshvaram ) was once a significant ancient Buddhist centre. Around 70 kms from the town of Vijaywada, Amaravati, according to legends it was also once the capital of the ancient Andhra region Known as Satvahana then. It was amongst the four holiest centers for Buddhist pilgrimage, probably because of the giant Mahastupa. This stupa is believed to have been 36.5m in circumference and had intricately carved dome, depicting incidents from the life of Lord Buddha. However only remnants of that 2000 year old structure can be found today in a form of grass hillock. The museum nearby houses a small replica of the structure.
A huge Buddhist Congregation; The Kalchakra , is to take place in Amaravati in January 2006. The Kalchakra wil be graced by H. H. Dalai Lama.
