Place · Buddhist stupa town · India
Amarāvati / Dharanikota / Dhānyakatakam
/ʌ.məˈɹɑːvə.ti/
Also known as Amarāvati, Amaravathi, Dhānyakaṭaka, Dhanyakataka, Dharanikota
Amaravati, on the Krishna River, was an important ancient Buddhist centre and a major Satavahana-period settlement, renowned for its great stupa and distinctive sculptural tradition. The region later saw Ikshvaku and medieval developments. In the contemporary period, Amaravati was designated the planned capital of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, with extensive development initiated before the capital project was subsequently reconsidered. The ancient site remains an important archaeological and Buddhist heritage centre.
- Date
- from c. 3rd century BCE
- Periods
- Second Urbanisation, Classical and Puranic Age, Regional Flourishing, Islamic Age and Bhakti Traditions, Early Modern Age, British Colonial Age, Republic and Living Practice
- Function
- Other / mixed
- Patron dynasty
- Satavahana · Ikshvaku
- Confidence
- Established / referenced
- Location
- 16.573, 80.358
Worth knowing
The name Amaravati translates to "The Abode of Immortals". The Amaravati stupa developed through several phases from the early historic period, with major additions under the Satavahanas. Its sculptural tradition became known as the Amaravati School, characterised by elaborate limestone reliefs depicting Buddhist narratives, symbols and figures, which influenced artistic traditions across Sri Lanka and parts of Southeast Asia.
Amaravati, Dharanikota and Dhanyakataka are closely associated but should not automatically be treated as identical in every historical context. The chronology and political role of the site changed over many centuries.
Connections (2)
- Site withinAmarāvatī Mahāstūpa
The Amaravati Mahastupa is the principal archaeological monument of ancient Amaravati, forming the centre of the city’s celebrated Buddhist archaeological landscape on the Krishna River.
- Site withinAmarārāma, Amarāvatī
Amaravati is home to Amaralingeswara Temple, or Amarama, one of the five Pancharama Shiva temples of Andhra Pradesh. The name Amaravati derives from the ancient sacred landscape around the temple, which stands on the southern bank of the Krishna.