Amaravati

On the southern bank of the River Krishna in Guntur district lies the modern day town of Amaravati. The capital of the later Satavahanas, it was known as Dhanyakataka and was an important junction with trade routes branching out in all directions. And along these trade routes were spread Buddhism and Buddhist influence. Thus one has a string of Buddhist sites today all along the coast, northwards and southwards from Amaravati. The vibrant ports in the east were utilised to launch Buddhism overseas Burma and Sri Lanka were brought into the Buddhist fold. Today Amaravati contains a huge stupa covered with marble sculpture. The imposing structure is 38 metres high and has a number of carvings portraying the life of Buddha.

Amaravati was considered the most sacred pilgrim centre of Buddhists in India. The town is just 60 kms from Vijayawada and about 35 kms from the district headquarters city of Guntur. Though there is accommodation available at Amaravati in the form of a tourist complex and government traveller's bungalows, tourists prefer hotel accommodation at Vijayawada or Guntur.