<p>Amravati is a small town situated on the banks of the River Krishna in the Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, India. Amravati is famous for its Amareswara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the famous Pancharamas. Amaravati, also known as Dhanyakataka/Dharanikota was the site of a great Buddhist Stupa built in pre-Mauryan times. It was also the capital of Satavahanas, the first great Andhra kings who ruled from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE, after the downfall of Maurya empire.
The world famous Maha Chaitya or “Great Stupa is present here, that is the biggest with its dome measuring 49 meters and it rises to a height of 29 meters. Amravati is a byword for sculpture among the plastic arts of the world as the Buddhist sculptures found here are perfect specimens of what is called the Andhra or Amravati style of sculptures.
History:
-According to Vajrayana traditional sources, Buddha preached at Dharanikota/Dhanyakatakam and conducted Kalachakra ceremony, which would take the antiquity of Amaravati back to 500 BCE.
-Taranatha, the Buddhist monk wrote: On the full moon of the month Caitra in the year following his enlightenment, at the great stupa of Dhanyakataka, Buddha emanated the mandala of “The Glorious Lunar Mansions” (Kalachakra).
-The history of Amaravati and nearby Dharanikota dates from 2nd century BCE. It was the capital of Andhra Satavahanas who ruled from 2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE.
-After the decline of Satavahanas, Andhra Ikshvakus and later Pallava kings ruled Krishna river valley. Subsequently, Eastern Chalukyas and Telugu Cholas held sway over the region. Kota Kings were in control of Amaravati during the medieval times.
-Kota kings were subdued by Kakatiyas in 11th century CE and Amaravati became part of the unified Telugu empire.
Places to Visit:

* Maha Chaitya or Great Stupa

* Archeological museum

* Amareshwara Temple

* Other Nearby Places:

* Machilipatnam

* Kondapalli

* Pochampalli

* Rajahmundry

* Draksharamam

Penchala Kona:
This is a very ancient sacred place and a well known for its pilgrim activities. In the prehistoric days, Lord Sri Vishnu killed Hiranyakasipa and he was moving around in the forest, when Goddess Sreedevi came in the disguise of ‘Chenchu’ tribe lady to calm down the anger of Lord Vishnu. She calms him down and hugs him (‘Penu chesukonuta’), so this temple (‘kshetra’) was named ‘Penusila’ ( in Telugu “PENU” means twist and “SILA” means stone). Later on, as the days passed by the name changed to ‘Penchalakona’. This temple has lot of fame and is reputed as the ninth kshetra of Lord Vishnu.
The legendary facts state that after slaying the demon Hiranya Kasipa, Lord Narsimha bathed in Penchalakona and withdrew that “Avatara” (incarnation) of Narasimha, shedding his anger and ferocity. The lord here goes by the name of Somasila Narasimhaswamy and has become one of the Nava Narasimhas (nine manifestations).
Sri Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy as Penchala Swamy festival is celebrated every year from viasakaha Sudda Dwadasi to Bahula Padyami (April-May) to five days. Devotees fulfill their vows and offer hair to the Diety . It is an ancient festival confinded to the district and the neighboring districts like Cuddapah.
How to Reach:
People from Andhra Pradesh Kadapa and surrounding areas can come to Penchala Kona by passing the places Rajampeta – Rapuru on the way. There is a bus facility from Rapuru to Penchalakona every half an hour.
People coming from Andhra Pradesh Vijayawada <a href="http://bestfiendshackcheats.club/" target="_blank" >www.bestfiendshackcheats.club/</a> and Vizag should take the train route till Nellore. From Nellore, for every hour there will be a bus to Penchulakona. The distance is around 75 Kilometers.
People coming from Andhra Pradesh Tirupati and surroundings can reach here via VenkataGiri and Rapuru. Distance from Tirupati is 115 Kilometers.
People <a href="http://gardenscapeshackcheats.net/gardenscapeshack/" target="_blank" >gardenscapes cheats</a> from Tamil Nadu Chennai and other southern parts can come till Guduru on train. From there they can come here by bus via Rapuru. Distance from Guduru is 65 Kilometers.
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