Amareswara Swamy Temple-Amaravathi
Located at a distance of around 16 miles from the city of Guntur, Amaravathi is named after its famous temple of Amareswara Swamy, which enshrines the Swayambhu linga. Amaravathi also houses the Mahachaitya Stupa, which was built in the 2nd Century B.C. The stupa is richly admired with carvings showcasing the life and teachings of Buddha. The stupa also has a museum, containing a collection of old monuments, terracotta antiquities and a pictographic depiction of Buddha’s life and teachings.
The temple walls are adorned with various inscriptions, elucidating different dynasties that reigned over the region. The museum at Guntur showcases a huge collection of various antiques and relics such as Stupa-slabs, sculpture, railings, coins of silver, gold and lead, crystals caskets and potsherds. Bhattiprolu, located 20 miles of the city is the former kingdom of Prati Palaputra and is believed to be the earliest known kingdom in Guntur District.
Bhavanarayanaswami Temple- Bapatla
The Bhavanarayanaswami Temple is one of the most ancient temples(1400 year old) in Guntur District which is located some 49-km from Guntur. This temple is said to belong to Mauryan period and the presiding deity is Bhavanarayanaswami. The temple is well connected by rail/bus routes and lies on the Madras-Calcutta Line. The name of the town Baptala derives its name from the presiding deity of this temple, Bhavanarayana Swami. The Baptla town was also called Bhavapuri during the time of Mauryan Empire.