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With the State Government considering naming the new capital as Amaravathi, the spotlight turned on the temple town located on the banks of River Krishna at a distance of 35 k.m. away from Guntur and 40 k.m. from Vijayawada.

Dhyana Buddha sculpted at Dharanikota (Dhanyakataka) in Amaravathi - the name being considered by Andhra Pradesh Government for its new Capital City.

Named after Amareswara Swamy Temple, one of the Pancharamas, in the southern region, this small village and the neighbouring Dharanikota, were once the seat of power during the rule of Satavahana, who ruled during 2nd century BCE and 3rd century BCE.

Since then, it continued as the capital of many Andhra dynasties until the Mogul conquest and the subsequent British rule.

Government seemed to have weighed some factors in zeroing in on this naming proposal. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has been invoking the Telugu pride during his public speeches and it could be that prompted Government consider Amaravathi, as it was once the capital of Satavahanas.

CM was to announce on Ugadi day

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wanted to announce the name of the new capital on the auspicious occasion of Ugadi, but held it back.

According to a senior minister, who did not wish to be identified, the Chief Minister before flying to attend Ugadi function at Tullur indicated to Cabinet colleagues that he would be announcing the name there. However, he was unimpressed with the arrangements at the function and changed his mind.

The Minister said that Mr. Naidu would be visiting Singapore this month-end to discuss details of the masterplan being prepared by agencies of that Government. After his return, there would be greater clarity on the masterplan. However, important buildings like Assembly, Secretariat, Raj Bhavan would be constructed within the core capital area of 7,500 acres.