Amaravati Stūpa and Museum

high-definition creative commons photographs from the Amaravati Stūpa and Museum in Andhra Pradesh together with further information.

 

The Amaravati (Amarāvatī) Stūpa, located in the Guntur District of modern-day Andhra Pradesh, is a monumental relic of ancient Indian Buddhism and a testament to the region’s rich cultural and artistic heritage. Built around the 3rd century BCE during the Mauryan period and expanded significantly during the Sātavāhana dynasty (1st century BCE to 3rd century CE), the stūpa served as a major center of Buddhist worship and pilgrimage. It housed sacred relics of the Buddha and became a focal point for devotional activities, attracting monks, artists, and patrons from across the region.

The Amaravati school of art, which flourished alongside the stūpa, is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and innovative style. Characterized by intricate carvings on limestone, it depicts scenes from the Jātaka tales, the Buddha's life, and symbolic representations of Buddhist teachings. These reliefs demonstrate remarkable narrative depth, dynamic movement, and an attention to detail that set the Amarāvatī school apart from other contemporary styles, such as Gandhāra and Mathura.

The stūpa and its associated art played a crucial role in disseminating Buddhist philosophy and aesthetics across South and Southeast Asia. Their influence is evident in the architectural and sculptural traditions of regions like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Indonesia, marking Amarāvatī as a cornerstone of Buddhist cultural history.

The stūpa today is still on its original site, but most of the reliefs have been distributed to other places, including the British Museum in London, the Government Museum in Chennai, and the Indian Museum in Kolkata. There are still some remains in the Museum at the site itself, which is what are featured here.

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The Remains of the Original Site

The remains of the stūpa are still in place at the site where they were found, but most of the important reliefs have been removed. Now, the size of the stūpa can be inferred from its vast base, but the full effect has been lost. It is positioned in a pleasant park, suitable for meditation.

Satellite View of the Stūpa Site and Nearby Museum

Satellite View of the Stūpa Site and Nearby Museum (Bottom Right)

The Amaravati Museum

The Amaravati Museum is close to the site and contains reliefs and other artifacts which were not taken away from the site. These include some very fine and detailed reliefs which serve to give an idea of the highly refined workmanship that was involved in its creation. There are also a number of free-standing images and inscriptions.

The Courtyard Gallery

One of the galleries is positioned outside the main buildings, and this includes a small-scale reproduction of the original stūpa, and many other artifacts along the walls.

 

Photographs by Anandajoti Bhikkhu

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