map of downtown asheville 910 STATE OF GOOD KARMA In its typically understated way, Andhra Pradesh doesn t make much of its va

910 STATE OF GOOD KARMA In its typically understated way, Andhra Pradesh doesn t make much of its vast archaeological and karmic wealth. But the state is packed with impressive ruins of its rich Buddhist history. Only a few of Andhra s 150 stupas, monasteries, caves and other sites have been excavated, turning up rare relics of the Buddha (usually pearl-like map of downtown asheville pieces of bone) with offerings such as golden flowers. Nagarjunakonda and Amaravathi were flourishing Buddhist complexes, and near Visakhapatnam map of downtown asheville were the incredibly peaceful sites of Thotlakonda, and Bavikonda and Sankaram, looking across seascapes and lush countryside. They speak of a time when Andhra Pradesh or Andhradesa was a hotbed map of downtown asheville of Buddhist activity, when monks came from around the world to learn from some of the tradition s most renowned teachers. Andhradesa s Buddhist culture, map of downtown asheville in which sangha (community map of downtown asheville of monks and nuns), laity and statespeople all took part, lasted around 1500 years from the 6th century BC. There s no historical evidence for it, but some even say that the Buddha himself visited the area. Andhradesa s first practitioners were likely disciples of Bavari, an ascetic who lived on the banks of the Godavari River and sent his followers north to bring back the Buddha s teachings. map of downtown asheville But the dharma really took off in the 3rd century map of downtown asheville BC under Ashoka, who dispatched map of downtown asheville monks across map of downtown asheville his empire to teach and construct stupas map of downtown asheville enshrined with relics of the Buddha. (Being near these was thought to help progress on the path to enlightenment.) Succeeding Ashoka, the Satavahanas and then Ikshvakus were also supportive. At their capital at Amaravathi, the Satavahanas adorned Ashoka s modest stupa with elegant decoration. They built monasteries across the Krishna Valley map of downtown asheville and exported the dharma through their sophisticated maritime network. It was also during the Satavahana reign that Nagarjuna lived. Considered by many to be the progenitor of Mahayana Buddhism, the monk was equal parts logician, philosopher and meditator, and he wrote several ground-breaking works that shaped contemporary Buddhist thought. Other important monk-philosophers would emerge from the area in the following centuries, making Andhradesa a sort of Buddhist motherland of the South.

ANDHRA PRADESH MAJOR TRAINS FROM HYDERABAD & SECUNDERABAD DESTINATION TRAIN NO & NAME FARE ( ) DURATION (HR) DEPARTURE TIME & STATION Bengaluru 2430 Rajdhani 1025/1355 (A) 12 6.50pm Secunderabad (Tue, Wed, Sat & Sun) 2785 Secunderabad Bangalore Exp 274/715/970 (B) 11 7.05pm Kacheguda Chennai 2604 Hyderabad Chennai map of downtown asheville Exp 297/779/1058 (B) 13 4.55pm Hyderabad 2760 Charminar Exp 312/837/1119 (B) 14 6.30pm Hyderabad Delhi 2723 Andhra Pradesh Exp 465/1252/1715 (B) 26 6.25am Hyderabad 2429 Rajdhani 1725/2245 (A) 26 7.50am Secunderabad (Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri) Kolkata 2704 Falaknuma Exp 442/1187/1623 map of downtown asheville (B) 26 4pm Secunderabad 8646 East Coast Exp 430/1178/1624 (B) 30 10am Hyderabad Mumbai 2702 Hussainsagar Exp 312/823/1119 (B) 15 2.45pm Hyderabad 7032 Hyderabad Mumbai map of downtown asheville Exp 297/792/1089 map of downtown asheville (B) 16 8.40pm Hyderabad Tirupathi 2734 Narayanadri Exp 284/794/1009 (B) 12 6.05pm Secunderabad 2797 Venkatadri Exp 277/723/979 (B) 12 8.05pm Kacheguda Visakhapatnam 2728 Godavari Exp 297/779/1058 (B) 13 5.15pm Hyderabad Fares: A 3AC/2AC; B sleeper/3AC/2AC

Vijayawada is a busy, rapidly growing city and an important map of downtown asheville port at the head of the delta of the mighty Krishna River. map of downtown asheville It s bustling, but it s also intersected by canals, lined with ghats and ringed by fields of rice and palm. The surrounding area is intensely lush and green.