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Amravati Tourism
Amaravati
is 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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