Historically hill tops and banks of the sacred rivers have
been abodes of Hindu Dieites. Amareswara Swamy temple of Amaravathi located on
the southern banks of river Krishna ascribes to the same traditional
convention. The temple built in the ancient town of Amaravathi derives its name
from Amareswara Swamy is now regaining its past glory and splendour as it is
designated as capital newly carved state of Andhra Pradesh. A visit to Amaravathi will be an enchanting
mythological experience as the place is interspersed with the richness of Hindu
and Buddhist cultures.
The place also referred
to as Amararama, is one the pancharamas of Andhra Pradesh. The other four pancharamas are- Kumararama, Ksherarama, Bheemarama and
Draksharama. Lord Shiva is worshipped in five Linga forms known as Pranaveswara, Agasteswara, Kosaleswara,
Someswara and Parthiveswara. In Amaravathi he is worshipped as Amareswara with his consort Bala Chamundika considered as the fourth
of the 18 of the Hindu Pantheon of Goddesses. Amaravathi is regarded as a Datta Kshetra where Lord Dattatreya is
worshipped.
- The temple was constructed on a
hammock Krouncha Shaila by the side of river Krishna.
- It exuberates in Dravidian style of
architecture and is surrounded by imposing gopuras
on four sides.
- Krishna River near Amaravathi hill
flows in the north-south direction for a distance as against the regular
direction of west to east. This feature is considered remarkable and devotees
take a dip in the river before proceeding for darshan.
- The most unique feature of the temple is the 15ft tall white marble
Shivaling.
Mythological Connect
There are several fascinating legendary tales connected to
the place. The Sthala purana says that the pantheon of Gods unable to bear the
atrocities of the asura or demon Tarakasura performed a penance to Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva ordained his son Lord Subramanya to exterminate Tarakasura. During
the duel, when Subramanya tried to kill Tarakasura the Shivaling in his throat
broke and fell in five different places which became pancharama kshetras. The biggest piece of white marble fell in
Amaravathi and started elongating towards sky. Indra, the king of devas
embedded a nail on the top of linga
to stop it from growing. The red spot on the top of the linga even now reminisces of the blood oozed by Shivalinga. The Shivalinga was installed by Indra, Brihaspathi, the guru of Devas
and Sukra, the preceptor of Asuras towards the end of Dwaparayugam. Since the
Shivaling is very tall archakas perform abhisekhas from a high pedestal.
Ø According to Skanda Purana, at the end
of Dwaparayuga, 5053 years ago Sounakadika munis asked Saint Narada as what is
the best way to obtain liberation or moksha. Narada told the rishi group that
Lord Krishna created Krishna River and advised rishis to live near the river
and bath in its holy water to attain salvation. It is believed that if any
devotee remains in this place for three days and takes a dip in the river and
worships Lord Amareswara, he will be liberated of all sins.
Ø Another legend from the Kshetramahatyam
says that demons defeated Gods after they obtained a boon from Lord Shiva. Lord
Shiva then vowed to kill all the demons and Gods started living the place
called Dhanyakatakam or Amaravathi.
Ø A tale from the Panditaradhya Charitam
narrates an interesting story about Sripathi Panditaradhya the embodiment of
Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy. He was believed to be born during the Lingodbhava (Linga creation) of Srisaila Mallikarjuna Swamy, a jyotirlinga on
Shivaratri day. Sripathi later commenced the Surya Simhasana Panditaradhya
Peetham to spread devotion towards Lord Shiva in people. At the behest of few
misguided Buddhist monks, the king that eyes of Sripathi be removed. Once when
Sripathi was wandering in the jungles of Kondaveedu, soldiers capture him and
remove his eyes. To the sheer amazement of king and people he got his eyes back
on two attempts. Finally during the third attempt, King ordered the soldiers to
remove the eyes of Sripathi and pour milk of Calotropis in his eye sockets.
Sripathi gained vision in one eye and later when he visited Lord
Amaralingeswara Swamy, he regained complete vision. Thus people’s faith in the
Lord Amareswara and Sripathi were restored.
Ø No traces of artifacts dating before
11th century can be found in the temple premises suggesting late
origins of the temple. Even the epigraphs on the temple architecture have
inscriptions of Kota Kings, one by Sri Krishnadevaraya and that of wife of
Proli Nayudu. These compelling evidences suggest that temple was originally
Buddhist and was adapted for Hindu worship. The mula virat in the sanctum
sanctorum is seen with a white marble lotus medallion made in ornate style a
signature sequence found in Buddhist monuments. The 15 ft tall Shiva Ling is
believed to be the Ayaka Stambha or Ayaka
pillar found in Buddhist monuments might have been consecrated as the Shivalinga.
Ø But the most befitting tale
associates it with Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu who ruled these regions before
the advent of British. It is believed that temple was constructed to instil
peace after the brutal massacre of thousand tribal, Chenchus who plotted against the King. A carnival was organised in
this place to capture and kill them. Following the deceitful plan of trapping Chenchus and killing them, the king lost
his mental peace. Upon the counsel of his Ministers, King shifted his capital
to Amaravathi devoted his entire time, life and revenues towards building the
temples of Lord Shiva. He renovated the temple of Amareswara Swamy temple and appointed
12 archakas to carry out religious rituals. The current structure attributes
its existence to the benevolent act of the king.
Devasthanam
The temple campus is very huge and comprises of three
circles.
- The first circle has Mahishasura
Mardini, Veerbhadra Swamy, Guru Dattatreya, Omkaareswara Swamy and Agasteswara
Swamy.
- The shrines of Vinayaka, Anjaneya,
NagendraSwamy, Kalabhairava, Kumaraswamy and Lord Krishna are present in second
circle.
- To reach the third circle one has
to take a flight of steps where shrines of Kasi Viswanatha, Mallikarjuna Swamy,
Pushphadanteswara Swamy and Kalahastiswara are present.
- In the centre of three circles is
the idol of the Lord Amaralingeswara Swamy. The base of the Shivalinga is not
visible as temple is built in two storeys which hid the base. This was believed
to stop flow of river Krishna into the temple.
- The idol of Bala Chamudika is to
the south of the main deity. The walls of the temple compound have numerous
inscriptions giving an insight about the kings who ruled the land.
- The Divine aura and splendour
attracts thousands of devotees to the holy abode of Lord Shiva. Amaravathi is considered as a sacred place
for its three attributes- the Krishna River, an important kshetra with
Sthalamahaytam and the Sri Mahalinga Murthy.
The main festivals celebrated in temple are Mahashivaratri,
Navaratri and Kalyanam Utsavas.
Other Attractions
Amaravathi Museum
Amaravathi Buddhist Sites
Panakala Narasimha Swamy Temple
Kondavid Fort
How to reach
It can be reached by road or boat on the Krishna river.
By road: it connected by Amaravathi Road, 32
km from Guntur
46km from
Vijayawada
40km from
Sattenapalli
By Rail: Nearest Railway Station is
Vijayawada
By Air: Gannavaram, north of Vijayawada is
the nearest airport
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