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Spacemac Junior Artist Username: Spacemac Post Number: 373 Registered: 05-2012 Posted From: 49.37.155.29 Rating: N/A |
AMARAVATI Ruined Buddhist Stupa and Other Remains, Amaravati, District Palnadu, Andhra Pradesh The present-day twin villages of Amaravati and Dharanikota, located about 33 km north of Guntur town in Andhra Pradesh, were part of an ancient township known as Dhamnakada or Dhanyakataka. Colonel Colin Mackenzie was the first to document the antiquarian significance of this site in 1797. Since then, it has attracted the attention of many art historians, archaeologists, and epigraphists. The Mahachaitya mound was known as Dipaladinne – the mound of lamps – a name mentioned on several architectural and sculptural elements from the site. During the early centuries of the Common Era, this area was known as Dhanakada. The Satavahana king Vasishthiputra Pulumavi referred to himself as 'Dhanakata Saminehi' and made this his eastern capital. An inscription mentions the establishment of a 'Diva Khabo' (lamp pillar) at the base of this Dhammasthana. The earlier name 'Dhamnakada Vathavasa' is also seen in a 3rd-century CE inscription from the time of Ikshvaku king Virapurushadatta, found at Uppugundur in Prakasam district. The Prakrit text 'Gandavyuha' of the same period describes 'Dhanya Kara' as a grand city in Dakshinapatha and a seat of Manjusri. The great stupa at this site is referred to as 'Sri Dhanyakataka Chaitya Jinadhatu dhare bhuvi' – a chaitya enshrining the sacred relics of the Buddha. The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang visited the site in 639 CE and called it 'Tena-ka-che-ka', i.e., Dhanyakataka, in the region of 'Ta-An-To-Lo' (Great Andhra). He stayed here for nearly a year and studied Abhidhamma. According to Tibetan traditions, it was at this stupa that Sakyamuni Buddha delivered the Kalachakra Mulatantra. The Buddha's earlier life as Sumedha in the city of Sri Dhanyakataka adds to its significance. Hence, the names Dhamnakada and Dhanyakataka likely originate from the region’s prominence as a Dhamma center. Saivism also flourished here, as seen in the Amresvara temple – a sacred kshetra. The name Amaravati came into use after 1182 CE, while the fortified part of the settlement was known as Dharanikota. A Mauryan-period sculptured stele shows a scene labeled 'Dhamnakada Vamda namagothi'. It realistically portrays the bend of the Krishna River, which remains geographically accurate even today. The depiction includes flowers and paduka-like objects in the river, suggesting the symbolic descent of the Buddha. The name 'Dhamnakada' confirms the scene’s identification. Early excavations at the Mahastupa unearthed part of an Ashokan pillar edict and Northern Black Polished Ware, indicating the site's origins go back to the Mauryan period. Inscriptions in 2nd-century BCE Brahmi script include 'Dhamnakada Kasa nigamasa' and on another sculpture 'Dhana(ka)dasa Mahavihare'. A pillar from the time of Gautamiputra Yajna Sri (around 150 CE) refers to 'Dhanakata Mahachetiya'. The Amaravati stupa was one of the largest in Andhra Pradesh, with an estimated diameter of 50 meters and a height of 27 meters. It featured a brick-built circular drum (vedika) with four rectangular Ayaka platforms aligned to the cardinal directions, each measuring approximately 7.2 by 2.1 meters. Five Ayaka pillars were likely placed on each platform, symbolizing the five key events in Buddha’s life: birth, renunciation, enlightenment, first sermon, and final extinction. These platforms and the drum were decorated with sculptured stone panels. Excavations beneath the Ayaka platforms uncovered seven crystal and one ivory relic caskets, some containing bone fragments, pearls, precious stones, and gold flowers—evidence that it was a 'Sariraka' type of stupa, which enshrines physical relics of the Buddha. Although only parts of the drum survive today, they have been reconstructed. Remnants of the original railings, with typical Mauryan polish, indicate the stupa’s earliest phase, while the sculptured panels belong to the Satavahana period. Bibliography 1. Robert Sewell, <em>Lists of Antiquarian Remains in the Presidency of Madras</em>, Vol. I, (Madras, 1882), p. 63<br> 2. <em>Annual Progress Report of the Archaeological Survey Department, Southern Circle</em>, 1905–06 (Calcutta, 1909), pp. 116–119<br> 3. J. Burgess, <em>Notes on the Amaravati Stupa</em> (1882), pp. 1–57<br> 4. <em>Annual Progress Report of the Archaeological Department, Southern Circle</em>, 1908–09 (Calcutta, 1912), pp. 88–91 | ||
Scorpio Megastar Username: Scorpio Post Number: 26616 Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 174.165.215.137 Rating: N/A |
https://www.eenadu.net/telugu-news/andhra-pradesh/kharagpur- to-amravati-fast-track-road-corridor/1799/126151114 #IdhiManchiPrabhutvam  Nagarjuna Sagar...SriSailam...Polavaram...Handri-Neeva...SomaSila...ThotaPalli...VeliGonda...PuliChintala..etc | ||
Scorpio Megastar Username: Scorpio Post Number: 26615 Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 172.56.106.114 Rating: N/A |
https://x.com/naralokesh/status/2091166682610065549?s=46 Chandra Palem School Nagarjuna Sagar...SriSailam...Polavaram...Handri-Neeva...SomaSila...ThotaPalli...VeliGonda...PuliChintala..etc | ||
Scorpio Megastar Username: Scorpio Post Number: 26614 Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 174.165.215.137 Rating: |
https://www.eenadu.net/telugu-news/andhra-pradesh/ap-job-cal endar-2026-released/1701/126150792 The AP Government has finalised a major recruitment drive covering 10,060 vacant posts through direct recruitment in 4 phases. Phase I: 1,523 posts — already notified Phase II: 3,231 posts — notification on Sept 15, 2026 Phase III: 2,311 posts — notification on Oct 15, 2026 The remaining vacancies will be notified in the fourth phase. https://x.com/AndhraNexus/status/2091193637514473868 #IdhiManchiPrabhutvam  Nagarjuna Sagar...SriSailam...Polavaram...Handri-Neeva...SomaSila...ThotaPalli...VeliGonda...PuliChintala..etc |
