Maha Stupa at Amaravati, Buddhist stupa in Guntur district, India.
The Maha Stupa at Amaravati is a Buddhist monument in Guntur district, India, consisting of a circular mound measuring 50 meters (164 feet) across and standing 27 meters (89 feet) high. The structure is surrounded by a stone railing featuring hundreds of relief panels, and a walkway runs around the base.
Construction began in the 3rd century BCE under Emperor Ashoka, when Buddhism was spreading across the Indian subcontinent. Over the following centuries, the structure was expanded and decorated with additional sculptures and platforms, with work continuing until around 250 CE.
Stone reliefs on the outer walls tell stories from the life of Buddha, rendered in the artistic tradition of Amaravati. Over many centuries, sculptors from the region developed a distinct visual language with flowing lines and carefully rendered figures.
Access to the site is usually available during daylight hours, and a small museum next to the structure displays finds from earlier excavations. Because of its open location, visiting during cooler morning hours is more comfortable when the sun is lower.
Five platforms called Ayaka stand at specific points around the structure and mark important moments in the life of Buddha. Each of these platforms is associated with one of the five elements and once served as a place for ritual gatherings.
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