Amaravati, or Amaravathi, is an ancient temple town in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh state in Eastern coastal India. Amaravati alias Amareswaram is famous for the Shiva temple, Amareswara temple. It lies on the banks of the Krishna River.

Amaravathi was declared the capital of the newly bifurcated Andhra Pradesh state by the previous government. The current government abandoned that decision in 2020 and proposed three capitals. The proposal was to have Amaravati as the legislative capital, Visakhapatnam as the executive or administrative capital, and Kurnool as the judicial capital.

On March 3rd, 2022, the state high court ordered that Amaravati be made the capital city of Andhra Pradesh state (a single capital city for the state as opposed to three capitals). The high court order is being challenged in the Supreme Court by the state government, and a final verdict is awaited.

Amaravati Art is a famous art form that evolved here.

Amaravati Gallery, which shows the remains of these art forms, can now be found at various museums worldwide. It comprises Amaravati Sculptures or Amaravati Marbles alias Elliot Marbles from the Great Amaravati stupa. A significant portion of what remains can be seen at the Government Museum in Egmore at Chennai and the British Museum in London. The British Museum is the world’s largest and most comprehensive museum dedicated to antiquities, human history, culture, etc., with works of around 8 million pieces!

This city has very close links to Buddhism. The Buddhist stupa in Amaravati was built during the reign of Buddhist Emperor Ashoka around 200 BCE. There is an Archaeological Museum at Amaravathi, which has a replica of the Buddhist Stupa. The great Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang alias Xuanzang, visited Amaravathi in 640 CE and stayed there for a few days. He wrought gloriously about the place, its Buddhist monasteries (Viharas), etc.

The Ancient Amareswara temple is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras or the Pancharamas in Andhra Pradesh. The idols of Lord Shiva at these five temples are made from a single Sivalinga.

There is another ancient city with the same name, Amravati, in Maharastra state.

How Do I Go to Amaravathi in Andhra Pradesh?

Amaravathi is about 30 kilometers northwest of Guntur, connected by Amaravati road from Guntur city.

Vijayawada is around 46 kilometers away and has the nearest airport. Vijayawada Junction is the closest major railway station to Amaravathi city. Guntur Junction is another nearby railway station.

Where can I Stay in Amaravathi?

It’s better to stay at Vijayawada, as there are not many options available at Amaravathi.