Tirupati to Amaravati Taxi: Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple

About Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple, Amaravati

The Amaralingeswara Swamy Temple, also known as Amareswara Temple or Amararama, stands in the town of Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh, on the bank of the Krishna river and about 40 km from Guntur. The presiding deity is Shiva as Amareswara, and the goddess is Bala Chamundika. The main lingam is made of white marble and is said to be about 15 feet tall, so priests perform the abhisheka from a raised platform.

This is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras of Andhra Pradesh, a group of ancient Shiva temples. The other four are in the Godavari region, which makes Amaravati the one on the Krishna. Anyone looking for a Tirupati to Amaravati taxi is usually planning a longer Andhra pilgrimage, and the temple works well as a base for exploring the area.

Legend and history

Local tradition says the demon Tarakasura defeated the gods after receiving a boon from Shiva, and the gods took shelter here. The town name Amaravati is linked to the gods (amaras) who settled at the site. A popular story says the lingam kept growing until a nail was driven into its top to stop it, and a red mark is said to be visible still. These are matters of faith.

Inscriptions date the temple to around the 11th century, with an early inscription from 1129 CE and another from 1184 CE mentioning the Kota chiefs. Later patrons include the Reddi dynasty, Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara and, in the late 18th century, Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu, who expanded the complex. Earlier Satavahana-era finds in the area suggest worship at the site goes back much further. Details of dynasties vary between sources, so treat this as a summary.

Architecture and what to see

The temple is built in the Dravidian style with four gopurams and a central vimana. Visitors usually walk around the inner courtyard, see the large lingam and the shrine of Bala Chamundika, and take in the setting beside the river. The gopuram was renovated in 2017.

Amaravati is also known for its Buddhist heritage, including the ancient stupa site and a museum nearby, and the nearby Dharanikota area. These are a good addition if you have an extra morning. Check their visiting hours locally.

How the Tirupati to Amaravati cab trip works

The road distance is about 400 km one way, and the drive takes roughly eight hours depending on traffic and route (via Nellore and Ongole towards Guntur). We could not verify an exact figure from an official source, so please confirm the distance on your map app. Because the round trip is around 800 km, we plan this as a two-day trip: one long driving day out, an overnight stay, and the return on day two.

A practical plan: leave Tirupati around 5 am on day one, reach Guntur or Amaravati in the afternoon, visit the temple in the evening session, and stay overnight in Guntur or Vijayawada (you arrange the hotel). On day two, you can visit the Amaravati sites in the morning and then drive back. We provide only the vehicle and driver; temple entry and any tickets are handled by you directly with the temple.

If you want to extend the Andhra circuit, Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple is close to Amaravati. See our Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple taxi page and Tirupati to Srisailam taxi page.

Practical tips

Temple timings from travel guides do not come from the temple office and may change during Karthika Masam, so confirm locally on the day. Dress modestly and be ready to remove footwear.

Services are better in Guntur and Vijayawada than in Amaravati town, so book your stay there. Carry water and snacks for the long highway stretches, and keep some cash for small shops and tolls.

For seniors, a rest stop every two hours makes the trip more comfortable. Tell the driver your preferred timings in advance.

Sample plan

1. Day 1, 5:00 amLeave TirupatiHighway towards Nellore, Ongole and Guntur.
2. Day 1, 1:00 pmLunch stopPlan a meal break around Ongole or Guntur.
3. Day 1, 3:30 - 6:30 pmAmaralingeswara Temple, AmaravatiVisit the evening session; confirm timings locally.
4. Day 1, nightOvernight stayHotel in Guntur or Vijayawada, arranged by you.
5. Day 2, morningOptional Amaravati heritage sitesBuddhist stupa site and museum, if you have time.
6. Day 2, middayDrive back to TirupatiAbout eight hours with stops.

Taxi cost by vehicle

Frequently asked questions

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