Poised along the banks of River Krishna, the quaint town of Amaravati, in Andhra Pradesh, is rooted in rich Buddhist culture. Dotted with various remnants of ancient Buddhist settlements, Amaravati is a retreat for followers of Buddhism and lovers of history. Located around 35 km from Vijayawada, the town was an ancient Buddhist settlement called Chintapalli. The stupa here, built in 3rd century BC during Mauryan king Ashoka’s reign, was apparently bigger than the one at Sanchi and had a gateway at each cardinal point. One of the gateways was reconstructed and can be seen, though all other structures no longer exist. Stories from the life of Lord Buddha is carved on this gateway. Tourists can also visit the Kondapalli toy village, which is the hub of the renowned Kondapalli toys that are made using a 500-year-old process and are known for their bright colours and distinct features. Chandavaram Buddhist Site Built between the 2nd Century BC and the 2nd Century AD, the Chandavaran Buddhist Site is the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh. A fascinating place for history and archaeology lovers, it is perched atop a hill called Singarayakonda. It also boasts the Chandavaram Stupa that bears a stark resemblance with the famous Dharajaka Stupa in Taxila. The double terraced stupa is also known as the Maha Stupa and displays characteristics of the stupas built under the Hinayana form of Buddhism. The archaeological site also houses 15 regular-sized stupas and 100 small stupas along with the Maha Chaitya, Silamandapa, Vihara and more than two dozen Buddhist slabs adorned with inscriptions and designs. Located on the banks of River Gundlakamma, Chadavaram lies in the Prakasam district and is easily reachable from Amaravati. Ghantasala Known as Katakasila in ancient times, Ghantasala was once a renowned Buddhist centre. Rooted in history, it invites history-lovers and archaeologists for its rich heritage. A Buddhist stupa and other Buddhist sculptures, unearthed in 1919-20, are among the most popular attractions. Maha Chaitya, a famous stupa excavated here bears similarity with the stupas of the Satayahana period of Buddhism. It is said that the dome of the stupa once had 47 slabs that referred to Lord Buddha. The museum in the town has a wide collection of Buddhist remnants as well as Roman and Satavahana gold coins. The Jaladheeswaraswamy Temple is also a major attraction of Ghantasala and houses idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Famously known as Chinna Kasi, the temple is believed to have been constructed by different gods. It is also said that saint Adi Shankaracharya had performed his first ever rites at this temple. Ghantasala is located at a distance of 64 km from Amaravati and makes for a great one-day trip. Kanaka Durga Temple Perched on the Indrakeeladri hill top, the Kanaka Durga Temple is one of the major attractions of Vijayawada and lies at the heart of the city. The temple holds immense mythological significance and draws devotees for its grand architecture, picturesque views and divine energy. Legend has it that this is the exact place where Arjuna of the epic Mahabharata had obtained the Pasupatha astra after he performed a penance for Lord Shiva. It is believed that Arjuna constructed the temple and dedicated it to Goddess Durga. Visitors are welcomed by two yellow-coloured lion statues that stand guard at the grand and colourful entrance gate of the temple. The main shrine is located on the seventh floor of the temple complex. The arresting architecture of the temple will remind you of Hampi's Virupaksha Temple. From the top of the Indrakeeladri hill, one can get a beautiful view of Vijayawada and River Krishna. The temple is famous for celebrating the Dussehra festival with great fervour when thousands of devotees visit the temple and participate in a special prayer service. Kondapalli Toy Village The renowned Kondapalli toys of Amaravati are crafted by the skilled artists of Kondapalli village. The toys are known for their bright colours and distinct features and are made using a 500-year-old process. To get a peek into how these toys are created, tourists can visit the Kondapalli village that is lined with stores selling colourful wooden toys. The village has also gained fame for the popular dancing dolls of Thanjavur that are now manufactured here. As you walk through the main street of the village, you will hear muffled knocks coming out of small workshops being run in the homes of the villagers. Around 200 people from all families of the village are involved in this traditional art. The Kondapalli toys used to be a special part of the Sakranti and Navaratri festivals in older times. Visiting this amazing village gives tourists a chance to interact with the extremely hospitable families of the artists and to get closer to the culture and traditions of Andhra Pradesh. Kondapalli Fort Located in the heart of the Kondapalli village, and famous for its wooden toys, the majestic Kondapalli Fort is a must-visit spot. The giant ramparts of the fort made entirely from granite, can be seen from a long distance as you enter the Kondapalli village. One of the most striking features of the fort is its entrance gate called Dargah Darwaza. It has been carved out of a single granite boulder. Other notable features of the fort include the Golconda Darwaza, the Dargah of Gareeb Saheeb and the Tanisha Mahal. The fort can be dated back to the 14th century, when it was constructed by the Musunuri Nayaks, the warrior kings of South India. The fort is also known as Kondapalli Kota or Kondapalli Killa. Mangalagiri This ancient town is most famous for the Sri Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Narasimha (half man-half lion). Set atop a hill, it is one of the eight chief holy mahakshetrams (holy temples) in the country and invites devotees from all over. Legend has it that when panakam (jaggery water) is poured into the mouth of the deity with a conch, a gurgling sound is clearly heard, leading to the belief that the idol drinks it. Irrespective of the quantity offered to the idol, only half is accepted and the remaining returned. Devotees visiting the temple carry the panakam to their homes in small bottles as prasad. A particular attraction is the annual festival held during the months of August and September. Nagarjunakhonda Named after renowned Buddhist monk, Nagarjuna, this is one of the oldest known cities that used to be a major learning centre of Buddhism. A paradise for history and archaeology enthusiasts, Nagarjunakonda served as an important settlement during the 1st and 2nd Century BC. The rich flora and fauna of the region accompanied by remains of stone age tools, Buddhist stupas, ancient monasteries, caves and majestic waterfalls make it an amazing travel destination for all. Head to the Nagarjunakonda Museum and delve deeper into the history of the archaeological site. The museum displays Buddhist, Palaeolithic and Neolithic artefacts and ruins that were discovered in archaeological excavations. Some of the stone-age tools displayed are said to have been collected by Lord Buddha himself. Nature lovers must visit the Ethipothala Waterfalls that serve as a popular picnic spot. Nagarjunakonda can be easily reached by a three-and-a-half hour ride from Amaravati. Srisailam Set amidst lush green surroundings, this historical town is famous for its ancient temples and invites pilgrims from all corners of India. Srisailam is counted as one of the 12 jyotirlingas and is also blessed to be a shaktipeeth (devotional shrine where the severed body parts of Goddess Sati fell), which make it a very popular spiritual spot. The Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple and the Bhramaramba Devi Temple are among the most famous temples in town and are thronged by a large number of devotees. Srisailam is also known for the Akka Mahadevi Caves, the Kadali Vanam Caves, the Srisailam Dam and the Srisailam Wildlife Sanctuary. While it requires one to take a boat ride on River Krishna to reach the amazing Akka Mahadevi Caves, reaching the Kadali Vanam Caves involves trekking for 12 km. The Srisailam Dam is visited by nature lovers for its breathtaking beauty. The Srisailam Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary, is one of the largest tiger reserves in India and houses a wide variety of animals including blackbucks, sambars, panthers, spotted deer and sloth bears. Srisailam is located at a distance of 228 km from Amaravati and 217 km from Hyderabad. Undavalli Caves Dating back to the 7th century BC, the Undavalli Caves, carved out of a single sandstone, are a prime example of India's rock-cut architectural heritage. The inviting design of the caves speaks volumes about the advanced architectural skills of the ancient Viswakarma architects and temple builders. The caves are said to have been associated with the influential Vishnukundina dynasty, which ruled over important parts of India between 420 AD and 620 AD. These caves are a fine specimen of Gupta architecture as well, and the detailed design on the second floor reflects Chalukyan architecture. The largest cave has four floors and houses a huge statue of Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture. It is said that this sculpture was carved out of a single block of granite. The first storey of the caves houses sculptures of Jain tirthankaras (saints) that suggest that they once served as a home for Jain monks. The walls on the first floor are covered with stunning frescoes that depict scenes from mythological stories. The facade of the third floor hosts numerous sculptures that include depictions of lions and elephants. Nearby is another unique cave dedicated to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The architecture and green surroundings of the Undavalli Caves will remind you of Bhubaneswar's Udaygiri Caves.
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