The brand new and futuristic capital of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati is more than meets the eye. Here are 7 interesting facts about it that you should know.

#1 History and heritage spanning 2000 years

Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh is one of the oldest cities in India. It’s history and heritahe spans more than 2000 years. It was the capital of Satavahanas during 2nd and 3rd century BCE. After the fall of kingdoms like Pallavas, it was later captured by Britishers during the colonial period.

#2 Seat of Gautam Buddha’s Kalachakra

It was here that Gautam Buddha revealed the first sermons of Kalachakra. It has strong Buddhist associations and was a seat of knowledge and spirituality of the Buddhist monks.

#3 India’s biggest and Asia’s 2nd largest Railway Station

Constructed in 1888 the Vijayawada station is one of the busiest railway stations of India. It has more than 50 million passengers that traverse it every year. The railway station has ten platforms and is the only station in India to have five entrance gates with booking counters.

#4 Home of the fabled Kohinoor diamond

Yes, it was found at the Kollur mines by the river bank and this area now comes under Amaravati.

#5 Asia’s largest chilli market

It is well established and a popular fact and the scale of operations are astounding when one gets the chance to witness it.

#6 City of the Future by McKinsey

Pitched and created as a city of the future, McKinsey has recognized Amaravati as the “Global City of the Future” in the Quarterly 2013. It has a GDP that is expected to grow up to $17 billion by 2025 and Vijayawada-Amaravati and Guntur in Andhra Pradesh together are set to emerge as the new Metro City of South India.

#7 Where the name comes from?

Amaravathi which also goes by the names of Amareshwaram or Amararamam is because of the famous Amarlingeshwara Temple that is locate there. This makes it a heritage site under the HRIDAY scheme of Government of India.