Amaravati is Present capital of Andhra Pradesh and is located 32 km from Guntur and 39 km from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh on the right bank of river Krishna. It is one of the few places where Krishna 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. 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.
Some Facts
- People of region worship Lord Amaralingeswara Swamy
- 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’.
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.
