Amaravati

Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh is one of the most well-known tourist destinations. It is the state’s new capital and a significant centre for sightseeing and pilgrimage. Amaravati’s rich historical, religious and cultural heritage has drawn the attention of history buffs and casual tourists from all across the nation as well as the world. The planned city of Amaravati is among the cleanest cities in Andhra Pradesh, designed to have around 51% of green spaces. The region is also a prime spot for individuals who want to learn about the region’s Buddhist roots. Sometimes people refer to it as Amaravati AP to avoid getting it confused with Amravati City in Maharashtra.

There are several prominent tourist attractions in Amaravati, including sites like religious shrines, historical places, museums, and so on. It is also quite accessible from major cities in the state and features quality accommodations. Individuals planning a short trip within Andhra Pradesh will find Amaravati to be a great location. In addition, it perfectly links tourists to the major nearby attractions, such as Undavalli Caves, Kondapalli Fort, Kondaveedu Fort, etc. Besides sightseeing, tourists can enjoy a fine dining experience in Amaravati at its luxurious restaurants. 

Location

The beautiful Amaravati city is located on the banks of the Krishna River, within the district of Guntur. It sits between two prominent cities in Andhra Pradesh, Guntur and Vijayawada. They are located at a distance of 33 kilometres and 20 kilometres from Amaravati city, respectively. In terms of other major cities in the state, Amaravati is about 77 km from Eluru, 150 km from Ongole, 177 km from Rajamahendravaram, 234 km from Kakinada and 364 km from Visakhapatnam. The distance between Andhra Pradesh’s Amaravati and Telangana’s Hyderabad is 285 kilometres. The city covers an area of around 217.23 square kilometres and has an average elevation of 49 metres. 

Language spoken in Amaravati

The language that is widely spoken in Amravati Andhra Pradesh is Telugu. It is the state’s official language, and individuals visiting the city for their trip can use it to converse with the locals. Besides Telugu, individuals can find a few Hindi and Tamil-speaking communities in the region. English also tends to work in Amaravati for the most part. However, the best choice for tourists visiting Amaravati for a holiday is to hire a local guide, especially if they are unfamiliar with the local languages. 

Known for

Andhra Pradesh’s capital city, Amaravati, is a famous vacation spot and is mainly known for things like:

• Amareswara Temple: Amaravati AP houses the famous Amareswara Temple, also known as Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple, which makes it an important pilgrimage site. The temple lies on the banks of the river Krishna and is dedicated to Hindu deity, Lord Shiva. The 15-foot tall marble-built Shiva Lingam and the Dravidian architectural style of the temple attract devotees and tourists from various corners of India. The myths and legends associated with the temple have also piqued the interest of many travellers throughout the years. It is one of the best places to visit in Amaravati for spiritual tours.
• Buddhist Centre: The region has been a major centre of Buddhism in India since ancient times. One of the largest and most important Buddhist monuments, the Amravati Mahachaitya, is located in Amaravati. In addition, the massive statue of Lord Buddha, called the Dhyana Buddha Statue, is another prominent highlight of the region. 
• Nearby attractions: Amaravati’s location makes it an ideal stop for tourists visiting the major attractions in the region. For instance, the Undavalli Caves is just 10 kilometres from Amaravati city. Similarly, sites like Undavalli Caves, Prakasam Barrage, Kondapalli Fort, Kondaveedu Fort, etc., are also in close proximity to it.  
• Greenery and cleanliness: The entire region is blessed with the majestic beauty of nature. With miles of greenery and the smooth-flowing Krishna River on the side, Amaravati is one of the best places to visit in Andhra Pradesh for nature lovers. 
• Good food: Amaravati is known for its prominent restaurants, serving delicious Andhra Pradesh cuisine to both locals and tourists. 

Type of place

Amravati is the capital of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a popular holiday destination and a great spot for historical tours. Individuals can visit the Amaravathi Mahachaitya and Amaravati Archaeological Museum to learn more about the Buddhist roots of Andhra Pradesh. The famous Amareswara Temple in the region has made it a renowned Hindu pilgrimage spot. Thousands of tourists and devotees visit it to pay their respects around the year. Besides history and religion, Amaravati is one of the best vacation spots in the state where individuals can spend a relaxing holiday. The surrounding greenery, scenic beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the place help individuals rejuvenate and calm their minds.

How to Reach Amaravati?

The Amaravati capital city is quite accessible from various parts of the state as well as the rest of the country. Here are the available transport options that will get you to Amaravati:

By air

One of the fastest and most comfortable ways to reach the city is by flight. The Vijayawada Airport serves the entire capital region of Andhra Pradesh, offering a convenient mode of transport. It is the nearest airport to Amaravati, about 35 kilometres from the city centre. Individuals can find frequent flights from popular carriers, like Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, etc., at this airport. It connects to major cities in Andhra Pradesh and the rest of India, like Vizag, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi, etc. After landing, Individuals can opt for a taxi, bus or any other transport service to reach Amravati, which can take around 40-60 minutes from the airport.

By rail

Amaravati falls on the Hyderabad-Guntur and Hyderabad-Vijayawada lines. The nearest railhead to Amaravati is Vijayawada Junction Railway Station, located close to Vijayawada city centre. It is one of the busiest junctions in the state, with hundreds of trains passing through on a daily basis. It helps connect to major cities in India, like Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, etc. Individuals can continue their journey to Amaravati via a bus or taxi from the station.

By road

Tourists planning on travelling to Amaravati by road can get easy access to the city through Guntur or Vijayawada. These major cities have an extensive road network, which connects them to prominent parts of the state and the rest of the country. The facility of private and government-run buses to Amaravati is also offered from major cities in the state.

Interesting facts about Amaravati

Amaravati is a place full of natural elegance and deep historical roots. Here are some interesting facts about Amaravati that tourists should know:

• The historical heritage of Amaravati is believed to be over 2,000 years old. It used to be the ancient capital of the dynasty of Satavahana during the 2nd and 3rd centuries BCE. 
• The region has seen the rule of various dynasties throughout history, including the Mauryas, Vishnukundina, Kakatiyas, Cholas, Pallavas, Delhi Sultanate, etc.
• Popular belief states that the Kohinoor diamond was found in a mine by the riverside in Kolluru. It is about 56 kilometres from the planned city of Amaravati.
• One of the most famous attractions in Amaravati is the Dhyana Buddha. This massive statue is 125 feet tall and represents Lord Buddha in his meditative state. Its construction started in 2003 and finished in 2015.
• The Amravati Mahachaitya is an ancient Buddhist Stupa believed to have been founded in the 3rd century BCE when the Amaravati state was under the reign of Ashoka the Great. The structure is mostly in ruins and used to house a number of crucial Buddhist relics, manuscripts and sculptures. Most of its surviving contents are kept in various museums across India and the world. 
• The largest chilli market in all of Asia, called “Guntur Mirchi Yard”, is about 40 kilometres from Amaravati.
• Amaravati is believed to be the place where Gautam Buddha first spread his teachings of “Kalachakra”.
• The name “Amaravati” translates to “the place for immortals”. Some people believe it was named after the Amaravati Stupa, while others think its name was derived from the Amaralingeswara Temple.

Why is Amaravati recommended?

As a popular holiday destination, Amaravati is more focused on being an ideal sightseeing location than a spot in Andhra Pradesh tourism. The region is home to some of the most crucial religious and historical landmarks in Andhra Pradesh. It used to be a massive centre of Buddhism thousands of years ago. Amaravati is also a major Hindu pilgrimage site, home of the well-known Amareswara Temple. Hence, both devotees and tourists looking for spiritual tours can easily include Amaravati in their travel plans. 

Amaravati lies amidst the major cities in Andhra Pradesh and provides quick and easy access to tons of nearby tourist attractions. For instance, places like Kondapalli Fort, Kanaka Durga Temple, Kondaveedu Fort, Undavalli Caves, etc., are all in close proximity to Amaravati. Hence, it acts as a sort of gateway to several of the prominent landmarks in the region. It is also recommended for individuals touring the neighbouring areas, such as Vijayawada, Nellore, Eluru, Guntur, etc. It is also close to the famous Bhavani Island, which is one of the most popular weekend getaways in Andhra Pradesh. Overall, the ease of accessibility, availability of quality accommodations and popular tourist places to see in Amaravati has made it a must-visit destination in the state.

Operating hours

Amaravati is open to tourists around the year and doesn’t have any specific operating hours. However, planning a trip during winter is generally the most ideal time. As for the tourist attractions in and near the region, individuals should verify their timings before planning a visit. 

Chart for Amaravati