PILGRIMAGE
IN INDIA
Amaravati:- Amaravati
is a well-known pilgrimage center of
Andhra Pradesh in south India. It is situated in
Sattenapalli
Taluk of Guntur District and is famous as the seat of a temple
to Lord Shiva or Amareswara and also for its world famous
Buddhist sculptures. The architecture of this
South Indian
pilgrimage tours destination is designed in the Dravidian style.'
Amareswaram' is considered sacred because of three things,
the Krishna River, an important region with 'Sthalamahatyam'
and the Sri Mahalinga Murthy, which
are three sacred
principles embodied in one. Amaravati is
also known as
'Punyakshetra'. Here, one can find five different
forms of
Lord Shiva. These lingams are
called 'Pranaveswara',
'Agasteswara', 'Kosaleswara', 'Someswara' and 'Parthiveswara'. Both 'Lord Amareswara'
and his spouse 'Bala Chamundika' are worshiped here, along with other deities
of the temple. The temple's origin is a
subject of curiosity among many people. There are various beliefs
related to it, some Puranic and some historical. Thus,
the temple tour attracts innumerable tourists with its purity and might.
Legends:- The
elevated Amreshwara Temple is situated on the holy Krishna river.
According to one of the legend, even a flood in the
river Krishna won't affect the temple, instead it will turn its flow to
some other side. Therefore, one can see the river Krishna diverted
from north to south at this place. Temples are usually built on these
short turns of the river, as they are regarded sacred.
Another legend tells us that the temple was earlier
a Buddhist shrine but later a Hindu temple was
built here. This contradiction is the root of a controversy, as the
foundations of the temple are laid with the typical Buddhist slabs only.
Festivals:- The
main festivals in the temple are the Maha
Shivaratri, which comes in the 'Magha Bahula
Dasami' and the Navaratri and the 'Kalyana Utsavas'.
Getting there and Around:-
By Air - The nearest
airport is Vijayawada (82 km).
By Rail - The nearest
railheads are Guntur and Vijayawada. A good network of connect Guntur to Amaravati.
By Road - Amaravati
is situated 20 miles northwest of Guntur and is connected by a good motorable
road.
Accommodation:- Tourists
coming to Amaravati have a good choice in terms of accommodation available
in the Rest House, Hotel Mamta, and Swapna Lodge at
Amaravati. Apart from this, there are Public
Works Department Travelers Bungalow, some choultries, and sheds for
travellers and pilgrims to stay.
