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{{short description|Hindu temple in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{AI-generated|date=March 2026|reason=[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amararama&diff=1257971616&oldid=1255147951 these 2024 edits]; user has made many AI edits and these too display many [[WP:AISIGNS]] including undue emphasis on legacy, vocab distro typical of 2023/24 LLM output etc}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name              = Amareswara swami Temple
| name              = Amararamam
| script            =  
| script            =  
| image              = File:Main Structure of Amareswara Temple.jpg
| image              = Gopuramxx.jpg
| image_size        =  
| image_size        =  
| alt                =
| alt                =
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| country            = [[India]]
| country            = [[India]]
| state              = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| state              = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| district          = [[Guntur district|Guntur]]
| district          = [[Palnadu district|Palnadu]]
| locale            = [[Amaravathi (village), Guntur district|Amaravathi]]
| locale            = [[Amaravathi, Guntur district|Amaravathi]]
| elevation_m        = 31.4
| elevation_m        = 31.4
| deity              = [[Shiva]]
| deity              = [[Shiva]]
| festivals          = [[Maha Shivaratri]], [[Kartik Purnima]]
| festivals          = [[Maha Sivaratri]], [[Kartika Purnima]]
| architecture      = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| architecture      = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity    = 1
| temple_quantity    = 1
| monument_quantity  =
| monument_quantity  =
| inscriptions      = [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Sanskrit]]
| inscriptions      = [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Sanskrit]]
| established        = Unknown
| established        = 11th century
| temple_board      =  
| temple_board      =  
| website            =   
| website            =   
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{{Hinduism}}
{{Hinduism}}


'''Amararama''' is one of the five [[Pancharama Kshetras]] that are sacred to the Hindu god [[Shiva]]. The temple is located in [[Amaravathi village, Guntur district|Amaravathi]] town of [[Guntur district]] in the Indian state of [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/pancharamar-khetrams-dedicated-to-lord-siva/article19174387.ece|title=Five for peace|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> Amareswara Swamy or Amaralingeswara Swamy refers to Lord [[Shiva]] in this temple. The temple is situated on the  southern bank of [[Krishna River]]. The consort of Lord Amareswara Swamy is Bala Chamundika.{{cn|date=September 2020}} The Sivalinga at this place is installed and established by Lord [[Indra]].
'''Amararamam''' is a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] temple dedicated to [[Shiva|Lord Siva]], located in [[Amaravathi, Palnadu district|Amaravathi]] of [[Palnadu district]] in the Indian state of [[Andhra Pradesh]]. It is one of the five sacred [[Pancharama Kshetras]] and is unique for being situated on the [[Krishna River]], unlike the others in the Godavari region. The temple enshrines a 15-foot white marble [[Lingam|Sivalinga]], and daily rituals are performed by priests on a platform. The main deity, Lord Amareswara (also known as Amaralingeswara), is accompanied by his consort, Bala Chamundika.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |last=Chitra Ramaswamy |date=29 June 2017 |title=Five for peace |url=http://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/pancharamar-khetrams-dedicated-to-lord-siva/article19174387.ece |access-date=7 October 2017 |website=The Hindu}}</ref>


==The Deity==
The temple, based on epigraphical and historical evidence, is believed to have originated in the 11th century, with the earliest inscription dating back to 1129 CE.<ref name=":6" /> The temple has been patronized by various dynasties, including the [[Kota Vamsa|Kota chiefs]], and the [[Vijayanagara Empire]], with notable contributions from [[Krishnadevaraya|Sri Krishnadevaraya]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=C. Sivaramamurti |url=https://archive.org/details/AmaravatiSculpturesInTheMadrasGovernmentMuseum/page/n31/mode/2up |title=Amaravati Sculptures In The Madras Government Museum |date=1956 |publisher=[[Government Museum, Chennai|Madras Government Museum]] |pages=8}}</ref> Major renovations were carried out in the late 18th century.<ref name=":0" />
The Sivalinga here is very tall that the archakas mount a pedestal platform, and perform the daily rituals as well as Abhisheka. The top of the Linga has a red stain on it. It is said that Sivalinga was growing up in size and to stop its growth, a nail has been hit onto the top of the Sivalinga. When the nail dug into the Linga, blood started to ooze from the Sivalinga it seems. The stain can be see even today.
 
Built in the [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian architectural style]], the temple features four [[Gopuram|gopuras]] and a central [[Vimana (architectural feature)|vimana]].<ref name=":4" /> It is a significant spiritual and historical site, drawing pilgrims from across the region. Major festivals, such as [[Maha Shivaratri|Maha Sivaratri]] and [[Navaratri]], are celebrated here.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Amaralingeswara Temple Amaravati |url=http://www.templesofindia.net/temples/amaralingeswara-temple-amaravati |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007170114/http://www.templesofindia.net/temples/amaralingeswara-temple-amaravati |archive-date=7 October 2017 |website=Temples of India}}</ref> The temple is located on Krouncha Saila, a small hill near the Krishna River, and the surrounding village of Amaravathi is named after it.<ref name=":33">{{Cite book |last=H. Sarkar |first= |url=https://archive.org/details/amaravati00sark/page/8/ |title=Amaravati |last2=S. P. Nainar |first2= |date=2007 |publisher=[[Archaeological Survey of India]] |others= |edition=5th |pages=1–2}}</ref> This village also inspired the name of Andhra Pradesh's planned capital, [[Amaravati]], located 35 kilometers to the east.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 October 2015 |title=After 18 centuries, Amaravati set to become a 'capital' again |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/After-18-centuries-Amaravati-set-to-become-a-capital-again/articleshow/49489009.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025011007/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/After-18-centuries-Amaravati-set-to-become-a-capital-again/articleshow/49489009.cms |archive-date=25 October 2015 |newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The Amareswara temple is believed to have been constructed in the 11th century, based on epigraphical evidence.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=M. Krishna Kumari |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.scoerat.1747pancharamasinmedievalandhradesa1989/page/29/mode/2up |title=Pancharamas in Medieval Andhradesa |publisher=Agam Kala Prakashan |year=1989 |pages=29}}</ref> However, its architectural style closely resembles the Bhimeswara temples of [[Kumararama|Samalkot]] and [[Daksharamam|Draksharama]], which date back to the 10th century. Among the 35 inscriptions found on the temple's walls, the earliest dates to 1129 CE. Legends associated with the Bhimeswara temples may have contributed to the temple's connections with them.<ref name=":6" /> Additionally, one of the earliest recorded inscriptions in the temple region is an [[Eastern Chalukya Empire|Eastern Chalukya]] epigraph found at [[Dharanikota]], near Amaravati.<ref name=":4" />


Vasireddy Venkatadri Naidu, King of  Chintapalli and later Dharanikota, was a great devotee of Amareswara. He expanded and renovated the temple. The popular legend has it that once during the course of putting down a rebellion in his land the King had to have recourse to a massacre of the Chenchus, whereupon he lost his mental peace, which he regained only when he came to Amaravati. He shifted his place from Chintapalli to Amaravati in 1796, and devoted his entire life, time and revenues to building temples for Lord Siva. He renovated the Amareswaraswamy temple here, engaged nine learned archakas for the daily archana of the Lord, and provided them with all the needs of livelihood, including {{convert|12|acre|m2}} of land to each. The temple as it stands owes much to him.{{cn|date=September 2020}}
The temple's foundation reflects early Buddhist influence, featuring elements like a white marble lotus medallion and a cylindrical mula virat in the sanctum. These features have led to theories that the site may have initially been a Buddhist place of worship.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last1=Rao |first1=Dr. P. Purnachandra |title=Chronicle of Guntur District Tourism |publisher=[[Acharya Nagarjuna University]] |year=2023 |edition=1 |location=Guntur |page=20}}</ref> The discovery of a Chaturmukha Linga and a small [[mukhalinga]] sculpture, both dating to the [[Satavahana dynasty]] (1st–2nd centuries CE), underscores the antiquity of [[Shaivism|Saivism]] in the region. Additionally, a life-sized, intricately decorated [[Nandi (Hinduism)|Nandi]] statue from the Satavahana era, found near the temple, reflects the craftsmanship of that period and suggests the early prominence of Saivism in Amaravathi.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=M. Krishna Kumari |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.scoerat.1747pancharamasinmedievalandhradesa1989/page/21/mode/2up?q=amaravati |title=Pancharamas in Medieval Andhradesa |publisher=Agam Kala Prakashan |year=1989 |pages=22–23}}</ref>


As per Legend, the demon king named Tarakasura defeated the gods after being awarded a boon by Lord Shiva. Shiva vowed to kill the demons and hence the gods came to reside here and since then the place came to be called Amaravati. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Amareswara with his consort Bala Chamundika, who is considered as the fourth of the 18 goddesses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.templesofindia.net/temples/amaralingeswara-temple-amaravati|title=Amaralingeswara Temple Amaravati|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007170114/http://www.templesofindia.net/temples/amaralingeswara-temple-amaravati|archive-date=7 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
By the 12th century, the coexistence of Hindu and Buddhist structures was evident in Amaravathi. Inscriptions and accounts from this period reference both the [[Amaravati Stupa|Buddhist Mahachaitya]] and the Amareswara Temple. A 1184 CE inscription by [[Kota Vamsa|Kota chief]] Keta II describes the Buddhist stupa as "chaityam-atyunnatam yatra nānā chitra suchitritam" (magnificent and adorned). The same inscription also reverently mentions Lord Siva as Amareswara, indicating a harmonious blend of religious traditions.<ref>{{Cite book |last=M. Krishna Kumari |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.scoerat.1747pancharamasinmedievalandhradesa1989/page/19/mode/2up |title=Pancharamas in Medieval Andhradesa |publisher=Agam Kala Prakashan |year=1989 |pages=19}}</ref> Furthermore, inscriptions on the temple pillars record lamp donations to [[The Buddha|Lord Buddha]] by Keta II and his courtesans, suggesting the presence of a Buddhist temple in the vicinity, which has since disappeared.<ref name=":5" />
srikrishnadevaraya had visited this temple after the war of kodapalli


==Architecture==
The temple continued to receive patronage in subsequent centuries. During the 14th-century [[Reddi Kingdom|Reddi dynasty]] and the 16th-century [[Vijayanagara Empire]], significant contributions were made to the temple. Notably, [[Krishnadevaraya|Sri Krishnadevaraya]] ({{Reign|1509|1529}}) added a [[mandapa]]m (pavilion), further solidifying the temple's cultural and religious importance.<ref name=":4" />
Amaravati temple has also a wealth of inscriptions on its walls like those of the Kota chiefs of Amaravati and of Sri Krishandevaraya, the great Vijayanagara emperor. On a pillar in the Mukhamantapa the wife of Proli Nayudu, who was minister of [[Kota Vamsa|Kota King]] Ketaraja, has left an inscription.<ref>[http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/south_indian_inscriptions/volume10/kakatiya_dynasty_2.html Inscriptions in Kakatiya period]</ref>
[[File:Front_view_of_Amaravati_Gopuram.jpg|thumb|Old gopuram of Amareswara swami temple]]


==Festivals==
In the late 18th century, the temple underwent extensive expansion under the patronage of [[Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu]], the zamindar of [[Chintapalli, Palnadu district|Chintapalli]]. A devout follower of Lord Siva, Venkatadri Nayudu later built and relocated to Amaravathi and provided financial support for the temple's upkeep. He allocated land to priests, ensuring the continuity of worship and maintenance at the site.<ref name=":0" />


The main festivals in the temple are the Mahashivaratri, which comes in the Magha Bahula Dasami and the Navaratri and the Kalyana Utsavas.  
==Deity==
Amaravati is thus an important Kshetra situated at a particularly sacred spot of the holy river Krishna and is a consecrated place of worship, of importance to Hinduism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/maha-sivaratri-celebrated-with-religious-fervour/article2931387.ece|title=Maha Sivaratri celebrated with religious fervour|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref>
The primary deity in the Amareswaraswamy Temple is a large [[Lingam|Sivalinga]], notable for its height, which requires priests to stand on a platform to perform daily rituals and the [[Abhisheka]], a ceremonial anointment. According to temple lore, the Sivalinga once began to grow continuously, prompting devotees to drive a nail into its top to halt its expansion, resulting in a red mark where it is said blood emerged. The main idol, or Mula Virat, is a vertically aligned cylinder crafted from white marble.<ref name=":2" />


== Transport ==
==Legend==
Legend attributes the origins of the temple to events involving the demon king [[Tārakāsura|Tarakasura]], who, after receiving a boon from [[Shiva|Lord Siva]], defeated the gods. To restore order, Lord Shiva vowed to eliminate the demon, and the gods came to reside at the site, thus giving the name Amaravati. Here, Shiva is worshipped as Amareswara, accompanied by his consort Bala Chamundika, one of the 18 revered goddesses.<ref name=":1" />


The temple is located at a distance of 40km from [[Guntur]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/Amaravathi-declared-heritage-city/article10950696.ece|title=Amaravathi declared heritage city|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> State run [[Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation|APS RTC]] runs bus services from [[NTR bus station|Guntur]], [[Pandit Nehru bus station|Vijayawada]] and [[Mangalagiri]] to this temple.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apsrtc.gov.in/T_Guntur.aspx|title=Tourist Services in Guntur Region|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416174701/http://www.apsrtc.gov.in/T_Guntur.aspx|archive-date=16 April 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/rtc-to-operate-300-buses-to-siva-kshetrams/article5329207.ece|title=RTC to operate 300 buses to 'Siva Kshetrams|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref>
==Architecture==
[[File:Sri Amaralingeswara Swamy temple & Chariot.jpg|thumb|260px|Amareswara Swamy temple during Rathayatra]]
[[File:అమరేశ్వరస్వామి దేవాలయం.jpg|thumb|Amareswara Swamy temple]]
The Amararamam temple complex is surrounded by four towering [[Gopuram|gopuras]] in the [[Dravidian architecture|Dravidian style]], with a central [[vimana]] reflecting the same architectural design, enhancing its impressive structure. Located on Krouncha Saila, a small hill near the [[Krishna River]], the temple combines Buddhist and Dravidian architectural influences.<ref name=":3" />


== Renovation ==
Access to the [[Garbhagriha|sanctum sanctorum]], which is elevated, is via a flight of steps, leading to the main deity, a 15-[[Foot (unit)|foot]] white marble [[lingam]] called Amareswara, also known as Amaralingeswara. This lingam is the largest among the [[Pancharama Kshetras|Pancharama]] lingams, with a circumference of three feet, and is worshipped through prayers and [[abhisheka]] rituals performed from a platform within the sanctum. The temple also houses the goddess Bala Chamundeswari Devi, considered the consort of Lord Amareswara.<ref name=":3" />


The [[Gopuram]] of the temple is renovated as it developed cracks in masonry due to the passage of [[Heavy equipment]]. It was rebuilt at a cost of Rs.1.56 crore. The former structure was renovated in 1796 by the local ruler [[Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/ancient-sculptures-found-in-amaravati/article7623259.ece|title=Ancient sculptures found in Amaravati|access-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> During this renovation ancient artifacts dating back 1800 years are found in the Foundation pits.
==Festivals==
The temple hosts several major Hindu festivals, including [[Maha Shivaratri|Maha Sivaratri]], which falls on Magha Bahula Dasami, and [[Navaratri]], along with various Kalyana Utsavas. Its sacred location along the Krishna River elevates the temple's religious significance, making it an important pilgrimage site.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 February 2012 |title=Maha Sivaratri celebrated with religious fervour |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/maha-sivaratri-celebrated-with-religious-fervour/article2915441.ece |access-date=7 October 2017 |website=The Hindu}}</ref>


== References ==
==Transport==
The temple is located approximately 40&nbsp;km from [[Guntur]].<ref>{{cite web |date=19 December 2014 |title=Amaravathi declared heritage city |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/Amaravathi-declared-heritage-city/article10950696.ece |access-date=7 October 2017 |website=The Hindu}}</ref> The [[Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation]] (APSRTC) operates regular bus services from [[NTR bus station|Guntur]], [[Pandit Nehru bus station|Vijayawada]], and [[Mangalagiri]] to Amaravathi.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tourist Services in Guntur Region |url=http://apsrtc.gov.in/T_Guntur.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416174701/http://www.apsrtc.gov.in/T_Guntur.aspx |archive-date=16 April 2019 |access-date= |website=[[APSRTC]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=8 November 2013 |title=RTC to operate 300 buses to 'Siva Kshetrams |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/rtc-to-operate-300-buses-to-siva-kshetrams/article5329207.ece |access-date=7 October 2017 |website=The Hindu}}</ref>
 
==Renovation==
In 2017, the temple's [[Gopuram]] was renovated to address structural cracks that had developed over time due to exposure to heavy equipment. This renovation, costing approximately ₹1.56 [[crore]], revealed ancient artifacts dating back 1,800 years in the foundation pits.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Sujatha Varma |date=7 September 2015 |title=Ancient sculptures found in Amaravati |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/ancient-sculptures-found-in-amaravati/article7623259.ece |access-date=7 October 2017 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
{{commons category|Amaralingeswara Temple}}
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.templenet.com/Andhra/amararama.html Amararama]
* [http://www.templenet.com/Andhra/amararama.html Amararama]


{{Pancharama Kshetras}}
{{Pancharama Kshetras}}
{{Hindu Temples in Andhra Pradesh}}{{Amaravati topics}}
{{Hindu Temples in Andhra Pradesh}}
{{Amaravati topics}}
 
[[Category:Hindu temples in Guntur district]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Guntur district]]
[[Category:Hindu holy cities]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Pancharama Kshetras]]
[[Category:Pancharama Kshetras]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Guntur district]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Guntur district]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Articles expanded in Collaboration with ANU, Guntur]]

Latest revision as of 11:40, 16 March 2026


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Amararamam
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictPalnadu
DeityShiva
FestivalsMaha Sivaratri, Kartika Purnima
Location
LocationAmaravathi
StateAndhra Pradesh
CountryIndia
Amararama is located in Andhra Pradesh
Amararama
Location in Andhra Pradesh
Coordinates16°34′52″N 80°21′32″E / 16.580990°N 80.358946°E / 16.580990; 80.358946
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture
Established11th century
Specifications
Temple1
InscriptionsTelugu and Sanskrit
Elevation31.4 m (103 ft)
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Amararamam is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Siva, located in Amaravathi of Palnadu district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the five sacred Pancharama Kshetras and is unique for being situated on the Krishna River, unlike the others in the Godavari region. The temple enshrines a 15-foot white marble Sivalinga, and daily rituals are performed by priests on a platform. The main deity, Lord Amareswara (also known as Amaralingeswara), is accompanied by his consort, Bala Chamundika.[1]

The temple, based on epigraphical and historical evidence, is believed to have originated in the 11th century, with the earliest inscription dating back to 1129 CE.[2] The temple has been patronized by various dynasties, including the Kota chiefs, and the Vijayanagara Empire, with notable contributions from Sri Krishnadevaraya.[3] Major renovations were carried out in the late 18th century.[4]

Built in the Dravidian architectural style, the temple features four gopuras and a central vimana.[3] It is a significant spiritual and historical site, drawing pilgrims from across the region. Major festivals, such as Maha Sivaratri and Navaratri, are celebrated here.[5] The temple is located on Krouncha Saila, a small hill near the Krishna River, and the surrounding village of Amaravathi is named after it.[6] This village also inspired the name of Andhra Pradesh's planned capital, Amaravati, located 35 kilometers to the east.[7]

History[edit | edit source]

The Amareswara temple is believed to have been constructed in the 11th century, based on epigraphical evidence.[2] However, its architectural style closely resembles the Bhimeswara temples of Samalkot and Draksharama, which date back to the 10th century. Among the 35 inscriptions found on the temple's walls, the earliest dates to 1129 CE. Legends associated with the Bhimeswara temples may have contributed to the temple's connections with them.[2] Additionally, one of the earliest recorded inscriptions in the temple region is an Eastern Chalukya epigraph found at Dharanikota, near Amaravati.[3]

The temple's foundation reflects early Buddhist influence, featuring elements like a white marble lotus medallion and a cylindrical mula virat in the sanctum. These features have led to theories that the site may have initially been a Buddhist place of worship.[8] The discovery of a Chaturmukha Linga and a small mukhalinga sculpture, both dating to the Satavahana dynasty (1st–2nd centuries CE), underscores the antiquity of Saivism in the region. Additionally, a life-sized, intricately decorated Nandi statue from the Satavahana era, found near the temple, reflects the craftsmanship of that period and suggests the early prominence of Saivism in Amaravathi.[9]

By the 12th century, the coexistence of Hindu and Buddhist structures was evident in Amaravathi. Inscriptions and accounts from this period reference both the Buddhist Mahachaitya and the Amareswara Temple. A 1184 CE inscription by Kota chief Keta II describes the Buddhist stupa as "chaityam-atyunnatam yatra nānā chitra suchitritam" (magnificent and adorned). The same inscription also reverently mentions Lord Siva as Amareswara, indicating a harmonious blend of religious traditions.[10] Furthermore, inscriptions on the temple pillars record lamp donations to Lord Buddha by Keta II and his courtesans, suggesting the presence of a Buddhist temple in the vicinity, which has since disappeared.[9]

The temple continued to receive patronage in subsequent centuries. During the 14th-century Reddi dynasty and the 16th-century Vijayanagara Empire, significant contributions were made to the temple. Notably, Sri Krishnadevaraya (r. 1509–1529) added a mandapam (pavilion), further solidifying the temple's cultural and religious importance.[3]

In the late 18th century, the temple underwent extensive expansion under the patronage of Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu, the zamindar of Chintapalli. A devout follower of Lord Siva, Venkatadri Nayudu later built and relocated to Amaravathi and provided financial support for the temple's upkeep. He allocated land to priests, ensuring the continuity of worship and maintenance at the site.[4]

Deity[edit | edit source]

The primary deity in the Amareswaraswamy Temple is a large Sivalinga, notable for its height, which requires priests to stand on a platform to perform daily rituals and the Abhisheka, a ceremonial anointment. According to temple lore, the Sivalinga once began to grow continuously, prompting devotees to drive a nail into its top to halt its expansion, resulting in a red mark where it is said blood emerged. The main idol, or Mula Virat, is a vertically aligned cylinder crafted from white marble.[8]

Legend[edit | edit source]

Legend attributes the origins of the temple to events involving the demon king Tarakasura, who, after receiving a boon from Lord Siva, defeated the gods. To restore order, Lord Shiva vowed to eliminate the demon, and the gods came to reside at the site, thus giving the name Amaravati. Here, Shiva is worshipped as Amareswara, accompanied by his consort Bala Chamundika, one of the 18 revered goddesses.[5]

Architecture[edit | edit source]

Amareswara Swamy temple during Rathayatra
Amareswara Swamy temple

The Amararamam temple complex is surrounded by four towering gopuras in the Dravidian style, with a central vimana reflecting the same architectural design, enhancing its impressive structure. Located on Krouncha Saila, a small hill near the Krishna River, the temple combines Buddhist and Dravidian architectural influences.[1]

Access to the sanctum sanctorum, which is elevated, is via a flight of steps, leading to the main deity, a 15-foot white marble lingam called Amareswara, also known as Amaralingeswara. This lingam is the largest among the Pancharama lingams, with a circumference of three feet, and is worshipped through prayers and abhisheka rituals performed from a platform within the sanctum. The temple also houses the goddess Bala Chamundeswari Devi, considered the consort of Lord Amareswara.[1]

Festivals[edit | edit source]

The temple hosts several major Hindu festivals, including Maha Sivaratri, which falls on Magha Bahula Dasami, and Navaratri, along with various Kalyana Utsavas. Its sacred location along the Krishna River elevates the temple's religious significance, making it an important pilgrimage site.[11]

Transport[edit | edit source]

The temple is located approximately 40 km from Guntur.[12] The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) operates regular bus services from Guntur, Vijayawada, and Mangalagiri to Amaravathi.[13][14]

Renovation[edit | edit source]

In 2017, the temple's Gopuram was renovated to address structural cracks that had developed over time due to exposure to heavy equipment. This renovation, costing approximately ₹1.56 crore, revealed ancient artifacts dating back 1,800 years in the foundation pits.[4]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Chitra Ramaswamy (29 June 2017). "Five for peace". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 M. Krishna Kumari (1989). Pancharamas in Medieval Andhradesa. Agam Kala Prakashan. p. 29.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 C. Sivaramamurti (1956). Amaravati Sculptures In The Madras Government Museum. Madras Government Museum. p. 8.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Sujatha Varma (7 September 2015). "Ancient sculptures found in Amaravati". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Amaralingeswara Temple Amaravati". Temples of India. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017.
  6. ↑ H. Sarkar; S. P. Nainar (2007). Amaravati (5th ed.). Archaeological Survey of India. pp. 1–2.
  7. ↑ "After 18 centuries, Amaravati set to become a 'capital' again". The Times of India. 22 October 2015. Archived from the original on 25 October 2015.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Rao, Dr. P. Purnachandra (2023). Chronicle of Guntur District Tourism (1 ed.). Guntur: Acharya Nagarjuna University. p. 20.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 M. Krishna Kumari (1989). Pancharamas in Medieval Andhradesa. Agam Kala Prakashan. pp. 22–23.
  10. ↑ M. Krishna Kumari (1989). Pancharamas in Medieval Andhradesa. Agam Kala Prakashan. p. 19.
  11. ↑ "Maha Sivaratri celebrated with religious fervour". The Hindu. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  12. ↑ "Amaravathi declared heritage city". The Hindu. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  13. ↑ "Tourist Services in Guntur Region". APSRTC. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019.
  14. ↑ "RTC to operate 300 buses to 'Siva Kshetrams". The Hindu. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2017.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Pancharama Kshetras

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