|
 |
 |
Amravati, Maharashtra |
 |
|
Amaravati makes for a perfect pilgrimage center both for the Buddhists and the Hindus in South India. Situated twenty miles Northwest of Guntur, in the state of Andhra Pradesh, this sacred place of pilgrimage on the Krishna River is also one of the four important Buddhist centers of learning in India and attracted students from throughout India and Far East. Amaravati's prodest possession is the ruins of the Buddhist stupa, which used to be one of the largest stupa in the country. Equally important here is the temple to Lord Shiva 'Amareswara Swami Temple' with its 15 feet high white marble Shiva Lingam.
Amaravati's 2000 year old ruins of Buddhist settlement draws many archaeologists and pilgrims from far and abroad. Among the important surviving remnants found here are the great Buddhist Stupa and many other Buddhist influences of the Satvahabna period that include majestic carvings, Chaityas, viharas, murals and panels.
The origin of the great Buddhist Stupa at Amaravati goes back to 2 nd or 3 rd century BC. It was erected by one of Emperor Ashoka's emissary to spread Buddhism in the region. The stupa is 32 meters in height and is perhaps the one to have the largest marble-surfaced dome in the world. Though the dome is now gone, one can have a glimpse of its past glory in a miniature model of the stupa kept in a museum along with some of the originals panels.
It is believed that the lofty Amreswara Swami Temple at Amaravati has Buddhist originality, which was readapted for Hindu worship later. Some of the temple structures bear resemblance to that of its Buddhist counterpart. Like the temple foundations are laid in accordance with the characteristic Buddhist slabs. The white marble lotus Medallion just above the sanctum sanctorium is ornamented in the style of early Buddhist 'Silpas'
|
|
