How far is the site from the capital city of Amaravati?

It is located within the Amaravati Capital Region area.

What is the best time to photograph the Vedika carvings?

Mid-day light is best to reveal the intricate detail of the carvings.

Is the adjacent museum worth the extra ticket cost?

Yes, the museum houses the original, best-preserved sculptures.

Book tickets to Buddhist Stupa Amaravati

Search for events, movies and restaurants

Buddhist Stupa Amaravati

Daily, Multiple slots

Amaravati Stupam Andhra Pradesh, Amaravathi · 8980.2 km away

4.4•

2854 ratings

About the venue

The Great Stupa or Mahachaitya at Amaravati is regarded as one of the oldest, largest and most significant Buddhist monuments of ancient India. Datable to the 3rd century C.E., it represents the sariraka type of Buddhist architectural tradition and preserves an enduring legacy of ritual, symbolism and artistic achievement.

Historical Background

In ancient times, devotees paid homage to the sacred relic enshrined within the stupa by circumambulating it in a clockwise direction. During this ritual movement they viewed sculpted scenes from the life of the Buddha that adorned the surrounding railing. The monument also featured symbolic platforms and pillars that represented the major events of the Buddha’s life, namely his birth, renunciation, enlightenment, first sermon and final extinction.

Location and Significance

The stupa stands in present-day Andhra Pradesh, where it remains a major testament to early Buddhist patronage. Its artistic and ritual features reveal extensive cultural activity and deep regional devotion.

Architectural Materials and Design

The structure includes a brick-built circular vedika or drum and projecting rectangular ayaka platforms set at the four cardinal directions. Excavations revealed several antiquities such as seven crystal and one ivory relic casket containing bone pieces, pearls, precious stones and gold flowers.

Things to know

Ticket needed for all ages

Entry allowed for all ages

Kid friendly

Pets not allowed

Free water stations

Washrooms available

What visitors say

4.4|

From 2,854 Google reviews

Oommen Nainan

9 months ago

Place steeped in history....Stupam is in ruins..but the area and surroundings are well maintained by ASI. No crowd at all, even on weekend. Limited parking place outside the monument since it is a small road. Good place to visit for history afficandosRead More

Veludharan

1 year ago

Maha Chaitya at Amaravati The great stupa or Maha Chaitya at Amaravati was one of the biggest in Andhra Pradesh with probable diameter of 50 meters and a height of 27 meters. It has a brick built circular vedika or drum with projecting rectangular ayaka platforms in four cardinal directions measuring 7.20 x 2.10 meters each. Five ayaka pillars must have stood on each platform symbolically representing the five main events in Buddha’s life viz. the birth, the great renunciation, the enlightenment, the first sermon, and the final extinction. The drum and ayaka platforms were covered with sculptured slabs. Five crystal caskets containing bone pieces, pearls and gold flowers were discovered from the southern ayaka platform. This is a sariraka type of stupa and hence its great importance, mounted on this circular drum stood an anda or hemispherical dome. Tall sculptured dome slabs covered the vertical part of the dome, above which came decorations in stucco. Scenes from the life of Buddha, Jataka stories, animal motifs, floral decorations, formed the subject matter of these sculptures carved on the locally available light green lime stone. The dome was crowned by a harmika or box like structure over which stood a chhatra or umbrella all now missing except the remains of the plinth. The drum of the stupa had a well laid pradakshinapatha or circumambulatory path of 4 meters with paved with cuddapah slabs protected by a railing in stone on its extreme end, pierced on all the four sides by gateways projecting out. The railing consisted of updmvapatas or upright pillars, three suchis or cross bars connecting each pair of upright pillars, and ushnisha or coping stone running on top those pillars, seated lions stood on pillars guarding either side of the gate ways. The stone railing of later periods was highly ornamental. The history of Mahachaitya is spread to a period of roughly over a thousand and seven hundred years (Circa 3rd Century BCE to circa 14th Century CE). The foundation of this maha stupa must have been laid by the great Mahadeva Bikshu an emissary of Emperor Asoka who was deputed to Mahishamandala for the propagation of the Buddhist norm. The first construction is believed to have been plain and modest. The ornamental renovations were brought later during the next seven centuries. The stupa had received its rich patronage from Kings like Vasistiputra Pulumavi, Sivaskanda, Satakarni, Gautamiputra Yajna Sri Satakarni, Buddhist Monks like Acharyaa Nagarjuna, and Nuns like Nanda and lay Devotees like Utara, Khalata etc. Evidence shows that the stupa was an object of worship receiving attention during the reign of the dynasties of the Satavahana, Ikshvaku, Chalukya, Pallava, Salankayaha, Vishnukundin Kakatiya and Kota kings. The Chinese Traveller Yuvan Chwang and the Tibetan Historian Taranath glorified in their accounts the greatness of this ancient seat of Buddhism. Colonel Colin Mackenzie of the trignometrical survey had discovered these remains of this stupa in 1791 CE. Subsequently Archaeologists like Mr. Burgess, Mr. Rea, Sri TN Ramachandran, Dr. R. Subrahmanyan, Dr. K. Krishnamurthy and Dr. I Karthikeya Sarma have worked on it. Out of the vast sculptural wealth this stupa has yielded, a good Number have become the objects of exhibition in the galleries of the British Museum London, Musie Guimet Germany, National Museum, New Delhi, Indian Museum, Calcutta, and Government Museum, Madras. The rest are on display in the site Museum.Read More

Tarang Bauddh

2 years ago

An ancient evidence of rich Buddhist history of Indian continental. An era when when teaching of Buddha were flourishing allover the Asia. A must visit place to feel the positive vibes. This is one of the biggest and oldest Buddhist Stupa dated back 500-300 BC. Buddha himself visited Amravati as per local tales and this Stupa was constructed on Buddha's or other High level teacher's relics.Read More

Manish Khare

1 year ago

Stupa is good shows the great history of Buddhism. Seems like People are not much aware of it even the local bus conductor does not know this place . I asked many people about direction to reach most of them could not guide. There should be more sign board this may help the tourist to reach easily. Took help of Map to reach the stupa. If you have personal vehicle it is good. Public transportation takes lot ot wait time.Read More