An
important Buddhist site located near the ancient Satavahana capital,
Dhanyakataka, is now called Amaravati.
It was one of the four
renowned Buddhist centers of learning in the country which attracted
students from all over the world.
It gave fillip to art,
architecture, trade, and facilitated the spread of Buddhism on the east
coast.
Today in South India, Buddhists consider it the most
sacred pilgrim centre. Many years ago, an emissary of Emperor Ashoka, who
went to propagate Buddhism in this region, laid the foundation of the
Great Stupa at Amaravati.
The dome, now missing, seems to have
been built solidly of large-sized bricks measuring 57 x 28 x 7.6 cm.
Presently it has a height of about 1.55 m and a diameter of 49.30 m.
The
stupa may well have been the one to have the largest marble-surfaced dome
in the world!
The dome and the outer and inner sides of the
railing were richly adorned with carvings, depicting events from the life
of Buddha. Locally, the Mahastupa is known as 'Deepaladinne' or 'Mound of
lamps'.
To give you a glimpse of the past, a miniature model of
the stupa and some of the original panels, have been preserved in a museum
on the site.
You can see several statues and friezes relating
Jataka stories.
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Amaravati Travel Guide