All roads will lead to Amravati, Andhra Pradesh next year as this city will host a gathering of Buddhists from around the world on 16 January 2006. The Dalai Lama himself will bestow the Kalachakra initiation. This is the 30th Kalachakra Empowerment by the Dalai Lama and it also coincides with the 2550th anniversary of the Parinirvana (passing away) of Lord Buddha. Ritual prayers, and Dances, are integral parts of the initiation ceremony. A Mandala with chanting of prayers will be created then dismantled as per the dictat of ritual. A tented town ship is planned at Amravati for the occasion of the Kalachakra initiation 3-14 January 2006, to house the thousands of visitors expected.
Buddhism became popular here and took root during the reigns of the Satavahana, Ikshvaku and Vishnu Kundina dynasties from the 2 BC to 6 AD. The Enlightened one-the Buddha himself, is said to have lived here and preached to the people.
Modern day Amravati was historically known as Dharanikota and was the capital of the Satavahanas and became a renowned center of early Buddhism. The Amaravati stupa stands as a testimony to the life and times of Buddha. Majestic carvings, Chaityas, Vihars, murals and panels are all indicative of the Buddhist influence.
The Kalachakra was said to have been taught for the first time by the Great Teacher, Lord Buddha himself in Amravati. The Kalachakra root tantra was said to have been taught here on the 15th of the third month in the year following Buddha's enlightenment at Shri Dhanyakataka (now known as Amravati) Buddha preached the Kalachakra the way for man to become one with the external and internal forces, to achieve complete purification of the body and soul. The entire meaning of the Kalachakra tantra is included within the three Kalachakras or wheels of time; the Outer wheel of time, the Inner wheel of time and the Alternate wheel of time. The Outer wheel deals with the sun, moon & constellations while the human body is dealt with by the Inner wheel.
Vijaywada is a good entry point to get to Amravati. Before setting out to Amravati visit the Kanaka Durga Temple. The goddess of power, riches and benevolence will bless you on your way to Amravati. Though Amravati is famous as the seat of a temple to Lord Shiva worshipped here as Amareswara. Here Lord Shiva is in the form of 5 lingams and is worshipped with his consort Chamundika. The temple is situated on the River Krishna at a spot where it takes a north to south course while the main river flows west to east. The temple enshrines a 15 foot high white marble Shivalingam. Devotees throng to this temple. The main festivals in the temple are the Maha Shivaratri (February) and Navaratri (March/April) and the Kalyana Utsavas.
Andhra Natyam one of the oldest temple dance forms is now being revived in Andhra Pradesh. Sculptures in Amravati depict this dance form testifying to its ancient lineage.