AMARAVATHI

Amaravathi :

Amaravathi is a small town situated on the banks of the River Krishna in the Guntur District (of which it is a mandal) of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is famous for its Amareswara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the famous Pancharamas. Amaravati, also known as Dhanyakataka/Dharanikota was the site of a great Buddhist Stupa built in pre-Mauryan times. It was also the capital of Satavahanas, the first greatAndhra kings who ruled from the 2nd century BCE to the 3rd century CE, after the downfall of Maurya empire.

History

According to Vajrayana traditional sources the Buddha preached at Dharanikota/Dhanyakatakam and conducted Kalachakra ceremony, which would take the antiquity of Amaravati back to 500 BCE.^[2] Taranatha, the Buddhist monk writes: "On the full moon of the month Caitra in the year following his enlightenment, at the great stupa of Dhanyakataka, Buddha emanated the mandala of "The Glorious Lunar Mansions" (Kalachakra).

The stupa

The town was the site of a great Buddhist stupa originally built during the reign of emperor Ashoka. It was completed in 200 CE and is decorated with carved panels which tell the story of Buddha's life. The region between Krishna and Godavari rivers was an important place for Buddhism from the 2nd century BCE and some ancient sculpture in low relief has been found here. During the Satavahana period (2nd century BCE-3rd century CE), Dharanikota near Amaravati was chosen as the capital. The stupa was then adorned with limestone reliefs and free standing Buddha figures. During the period of the decline of Buddhism, this stupa was also neglected and it was buried under rubble. There is a 14th century inscription in Sri Lanka which mentions repairs made to the stupa and after that it was forgotten.

How To Reach

It is reachable by road or by boat / coracle on the Krishna River. Amaravati is located 35 km northwest of Guntur. It is connected by the Amaravati road from the heart ofGuntur. It is 46 km south west of Vijayawada. Gannavaram, north of Vijayawada is the nearest airport.

KONDA PALLAI FORT

Kondapalli fort:

Kondapalli Fort is located 16 km away towards West from Vijayawada City and is built on a hill. Prolaya Vema Reddy, build this fort during 14th Century. Later came under the rule of the Qutubshahis who strengthened and eloborated by totaling new structures.

Near the Kondapalli Fort, there is a Dargah of a Persian Saint, Gareeb Saheeb. A legend goes that the palace women and the saint were always at loggerheads. Unable to bear the problem, the queen of the palace ordered the beheading of the Saint. Even after he was beheaded the Saint fought valiantly and dragged the fort soldiers to a distance of 20 km without his head.

History:

The Kondappli Fort was built in 1360 by the Hindu kings of the Reddy dynasty of Kondavid. But, over the subsequent centuries, it was the theatre of several wars among many northern and southern Indian rulers and the British.^[10] In 1541, Kondapalii fort and the province were conquered by the Muhammadans.

It was under occupation of the Bahmani Kingdom for some time, then with Gajapati rulers of Orissa followed by Krishnadevaraya of theVijayanagara empire and it later fell in to the hands of Muslim rulers of the Qutubshahi dynasty in the 16th century.

How To Reach:

The fort is connected by road from Ibrahimpatnam and Kondapalli villages. It is 21 kilometres (13 mi) by road from Vijayawada on National Highway 221. Hyderabad–Vijayawada railway line passes through Kondapalli. To reach the fort by foot steps, there is way from kondapalli village. To reach it by any vehicle, there is road way from Jupudi village, on National Highway 9 (India). Vijayawada city, as the largest commercial centre of Krishna district, is connected by railway lines to Delhi, Calcutta, Madras, Hubli, Gudivada and Machilipatnam. The airport at Gannavaram is about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) away from Vijayawada. A minor sea port is at Machilipatnam. From the Kondapalli village, the fort precincts are approached through a 1 kilometre (0.62 mi)trekking through forests.

CHANDRAGIRI FORT

Chandragiri is famous for the historical fort, built in the 11th century, and the Raja Mahal (Palace) within it. Chandragiri was under the rule of Yadava rayas for about three centuries and came into control of Vijayanagar rulers in 1367. It came into prominence during Saluva Narasimha Rayalu,he got the title of Mahamandaleswara and his illustrious Prime minister Chitti Gangarayalu(Ganganamatyudu) was known for his vision, wisdom and rectitude and was revered as a Bhisma Pitamaha in his times, he was the person who identified intellectualism of Timmarasu and taken him into the service of Chandragiri and later promoted to the Prime minister of Vijayanagar Empire.Gangaraya discendents served the Vijayanagara empire as trusted Generals and Governors for several generations,Chandragiri was the 4th capital of Vijayanagar Empire, Rayas shifted their capital to here when Golconda sultans attacked Penukonda. In 1646 the fort was annexed to the Golkonda territory and subsequently came under Mysore rule. It went into oblivion from 1792 onward.^[1] The fort encircles eight ruined temples of saivite and vaishnavite pantheons, Raja Mahal, Rani Mahal and other ruined structures. The Raja Mahal Palace (shown in picture) is now an archeological museum. The palace is three storeyed, is an example of Indo-Sarcen architecture of Vijayanagar period. The crowning towers represents the Hindu architectural elements. The palace was constructed using stone, brick, lime mortar and devoid of timber.^[1]

Koneti Naidu, who was made the king of Penukonda by the Vijayanagar Raya was the great-grandson of Vasarasi Kanaka Naidu of Chandragiri Royal Family they belonged to the Balijacaste of Andhra Pradesh.^[2].

How to reach :

A twenty minute walk is from Chandragiri town to the fort and Chandragiri is located at about 11 KMs southwest of Tirupati. To reach Tirupati

Visiting Time Telugu -6:30pm to 7:15pm in November to February, and 7:00pm to 7:45pm in March to October English- 7:30pm to 8:15pm in November to February and 8:00pm to 8:45pm in March to October. Best Season : Whole year..

LEPAKSHI TEMPLE

Lepakshi is a small village and Mandal headquarters located in the Anantapur District, in Andhra Pradesh, IndiaLepakshi is very important historically and archaeologically. There are three shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnuand Virabhadra.

Temples of Lepakshi

There are three temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Virabhadra. On a hillock known as Kurma Saila (tortoise shaped hill), temples of 'Papanatheswara', 'Raghunatha', 'Srirama', 'Veerabhadra' and 'Durga' are located. Veerabharadra temple is the most important temple.

Specialties in the Temple

There are many specialities in this temple like rock chain, Vastu Purush, Padmini race Lady, Hanging Pillar , Durga Paadam, Lapakshi saree designs etc. On the walls of this temple, there are several stories like mahabhaaratha, ramayana etc are sculpted. Also on the roof there are so many beautiful paitings done by natural colour mixtures. One more famous spot in this temple is "Eyes of Viroopaakshanna". As the history says, Due to king's misunderstanding with this temple builder, king ordered to make him blind. Hearing this the builder plucked his own eyes and throw at this temple walls. Till date one can find those blood scars on that particular wall

How to Reach

• By Road:Lepakshi is 480 km from Hyderabad, the state capital. It is 120 km from Bangalore. On the way to Hyderabad from Bangalore, you have to take a de-tour of about 16kms on the left to reach Lepakshi.
• By Air:Hyderabad Begumpet Airport, Tirupati Airport.
• Best time to VisitSummers are uncomfortably hot and humid. The best time therefore to visit Lepakshi is between November and March.

Tanguturi prakasam pantulu(b-aug 23)

Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu b. 23 August 1872 – d. 20 May 1957) was an indian politician and Freedom Fighter and the first chief minister of the Indian province Andhra state. He was also known as Andhra Kesari . Early life

He was born to Subbamma and Venkata Narasimham, in a family in a village called Vinodarayuni Palem (or Vinoda Rayudu Palem) 26 km from Ongole in Andhra Pradesh. When he was 11, his father died and his mother had to run a boarding house at ongole, a profession that was looked down upon at the time.

Andhra Kesari appellation and struggle for independence

When the Simon Commission visited India, the congress party decided to boycott it with the slogan "Simon, go back". There were a host of reasons for this boycott, the most important being that the commission did not have a single Indian in its ranks. The commission was greeted with demonstration of black flags wherever it went. When the commission visited Madras on 3rd February 1928, the police did not allow protests in some sensitive areas of Madras. Nevertheless, the crowd grew large and restive near the Madras High Court at Parry's Corner and the police resorted to firing with a view to control it. However, a young man, named, Pardha Saradhi was killed on the spot. The police warned the people that they would shoot if anyone tried to come near the body. At this, Prakasam grew enraged and tore open his shirt, baring his chest and daring the police to shoot at him. Understanding the situation, the police gave way to him and other supporters^{[citation needed]}. After this incident, people respected him with the epithet of "Andhra Kesari" (Lion of Andhra).

Chief Minister of Madras Presidency

In 1946, after the Congress' victory in elections in Madras Presidency Prakasam became the chief minister on 30th April 1946, as he and Kamaraj, a Tamil leader, were against Rajaji — the choice of leaders such as Gandhi and Nehru — becoming the chief minister. However, the government lasted for only 11 months, as it was felt that Prakasam was not accommodating enough to various varying interests.

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, a future President of India and a staunch follower of Prakasam became the chief minister. Though retired from politics, Prakasam was active in touring the state. On one such visit to Ongole, he suffered from severe sunstroke. He was admitted in a Hyderabad hospital and died on 20 May 1957.

our temples

penna ahobilam:The Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple is located amidst lush greenery, on the banks of a rivulet of Pennar. Myth has it that this temple was built on the footprint of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy measuring 5 feet 3 inches.Penna Ahobilam is a place near Uravakonda.The Lakshmi narayana swamy temple is located admist lush greenery,on the banks of a rivulet of Penna river.Myth has it that this temple was built on the foot print of Lord Lakshmi narayana swamy measuring 5ft 3 inch.

The temple is popular location for marriage ceremonies.A grand car festival is conducted anually in the month of April.The Other temples with in the complex include the Adi Laxmi devi and Chenchu lakshmi devi temples.

How to Reach here Pennahobilam is 36 KM from Anantapur and 12 KM from Uravakonda.It is well linked by frequent bus service.