Amrāvati, India
Region: Maharashtra
Geographic Coordinates: 20.925800, 77.764700
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 40.0°C (68°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 549370
Language: Marathi
Amravati is a city located in the western region of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is situated on the banks of river Purna and is known for its rich cultural heritage, Historical significance, And natural beauty. The city has a population of over 650, 000 people and covers an area of 12.5 square kilometers. Amravati has a long history dating back to the 7th century when it was ruled by various dynasties like Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas and Bahamanis.
The city was also under British rule during the colonial period and played an important role in India’s struggle for independence. One of the major attractions in Amravati is the Ambadevi temple which dates back to 11th century AD. This temple dedicated to goddess Amba attracts thousands of devotees every year during Navaratri festival. Another popular temple in Amravati is Shri Ekvira Devi Temple which is located on top of a hill offering panoramic views of surrounding areas.
The Melghat Tiger Reserve located near Amravati offers breathtaking views with its dense forests and hills that are home to several endangered species like tigers, Leopards, Sloth bears etc. The reserve also provides opportunities for trekking, Camping and bird watching.
Apart from these natural wonders, Amravati also has several educational institutions including Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University which attracts students from all over India for higher education in various fields like engineering, Medicine etc. Food lovers can indulge themselves with traditional Maharashtrian cuisine that includes delicacies such as Vada Pav (a popular street food), Puran Poli (sweet flatbread) or Misal Pav (spicy curry served with bread). Overall, Amravati offers something for everyone – whether it’s history buffs exploring ancient temples, Nature lovers exploring the tiger reserve, Or foodies indulging in local cuisine.
With its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, Amravati is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Maharashtra.
Important Landmarks
- Ambadevi Temple
- Chatri Talao
- Shri Bhakti Dham Temple
- Melghat Tiger Reserve
- Gawilgadh Fort
- Wadali Talao Lake
- Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal
- Ekvira Devi Mandir
- Gugarnal National Park
Primary Industries
- Textile industry – Amravati is known for its cotton production and has a large number of textile mills.
- Education sector – The city has many colleges and universities, making it a hub for education.
- Agriculture – Agriculture is the backbone of the economy in Amravati, with crops like cotton, soybean, turmeric being grown here.
- Food processing industry – There are several food processing units in the city that process fruits and vegetables.
- Chemical industry – The chemical industry is also growing rapidly in Amravati with several manufacturing units producing chemicals used in various industries.
- Engineering and manufacturing – The city has a good number of engineering colleges which have resulted in an increase in manufacturing units producing engineering goods like pumps, valves etc.
- Retail sector- With the increasing population of the city there has been an increase in malls and multiplexes providing employment opportunities to people.
Noteable History
- Amravati was a part of the Mauryan Empire during the reign of Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
- The city played a significant role in the Satavahana dynasty, which ruled much of central India between 1st century BCE and 3rd century CE.
- Amravati was also home to several prominent saints and spiritual leaders, including Sant Gadge Baba, who is revered for his work towards social reform and environmental conservation.
- In modern times, Amravati has produced several notable personalities in various fields such as politics (Sharad Pawar), literature (Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar), sports (Praful Patel), among others.
- The city is also known for its rich cultural heritage with several historic temples and monuments such as Ambadevi Temple, Shri Ekvira Devi Temple, Chatri Talao Monument etc., attracting tourists from all over India.
- In recent years, Amravati has emerged as an important hub for education and research with institutions like Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University and Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College drawing students from across the country.
Museums and Things To See
- Amravati Heritage Centre and Museum
- Chatri Talao
- Shri Ambadevi Temple
- Melghat Tiger Reserve
- Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal (HVPM) Sports Complex and Stadium
- Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University
- Gawilgarh Fort
- Wadali Talao Lake
- Bhakti Dham Temple
- Gugarnal National Park
Sports Teams
- Amravati is not known for having any major sports teams with significant histories.
- The city may have local clubs or teams that participate in regional tournaments, but they are not widely recognized outside of the area.
- Cricket and football (soccer) are popular sports in India.
- It’s possible that there are some local teams for those sports in Amravati as well.
Cultural Events
- Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha. It includes processions and cultural programs.
- Diwali is a festival of lights that takes place in October or November. It involves fireworks, decorations, and traditional foods.
- Dussehra is a 10-day festival that commemorates the victory of good over evil. It features processions and cultural programs.
- Navratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. Fasting and dance performances are common during this celebration.
- Holi is a spring festival that celebrates love and colors with water fights and colorful powders.
- Janmashtami honors Lord Krishna’s birth with prayers and offerings to the deity.
- Makar Sankranti is celebrated in January or February as a harvest festival with kite flying competitions and traditional foods.
- Nag Panchami pays tribute to snakes for their role in Hindu mythology on one day each year.
- Gudi Padwa marks an important new year celebration in Maharashtra state each year between March or April.
- Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan when Muslims break their fasts after 30 days, usually celebrated during June-July months based on Islamic calendar.
Cuisine
- Saoji cuisine: This spicy and flavorful cuisine is a specialty of Amravati and can be found at restaurants like Hotel Pariwar, Hotel Rajbhog, and Vyanjan.
- Maharashtrian thali: A traditional meal consisting of rice, dal, vegetables, chapatis or puris, and sweets. You can try it at places like Hotel Saffrony or Aditi Family Restaurant.
- Street food: Popular street foods in Amravati include vada pav (a vegetarian sandwich), bhel puri (a snack made with puffed rice), chaat (a savory snack), and more.
- Non-vegetarian dishes: Chicken biryani, mutton curry, fish fry are some popular non-vegetarian dishes that you can try at places like Hotel City Palace or Nandgaonkar’s Kitchen.
- Sweet dishes: Some popular sweet dishes in Amravati include jalebi (a deep-fried sweet), gulab jamun (deep-fried dough balls soaked in sugar syrup) which you can find at shops like Kaka Halwai or Shri Krishna Sweets.
- Restaurants to visit:
- The Food Studio for its versatile menu
- The Royal Nawabi for Mughlai delicacies
- Cafe Coffee Day for coffee lovers
- Bikanerwala for North Indian snacks
- Shri Krishna Sweets for desserts
- Domino’s Pizza for pizzas & burgers etc
- Wadali Talao is a popular park and lake in Amravati that is known for boating and bird watching.
- Chatri Talao is another scenic lake with a garden and children’s play area.
- Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal is a sports complex that offers facilities for various indoor and outdoor games like cricket, football, badminton, table tennis, etc.
- Nehru Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium used for hosting various sporting events and cultural programs.
- Shri Shivaji Vidyapeeth Ground is a large ground used for cricket matches and other outdoor activities.
- Nandgaon Peth Garden is a small but beautiful park with a jogging track, children’s play area, and seating arrangements.
- Krida Sankul Sports Complex is an indoor sports complex with facilities for basketball, volleyball, badminton, etc.
- Swami Vivekananda Udyan Park is a peaceful park with walking trails and a meditation center.
- Jawaharlal Nehru Udyan Zoo showcases various animals from India and around the world.
- Gugamal National Park located on the outskirts of Amravati city; it’s one of the popular national parks in Maharashtra known for its rich wildlife diversity including tigers & leopards along with other animals such as sloth bear & wild dogs among others.