The Chandrababu Naidu government officially named the capital city as Amaravati 19 months ago. Though it will take time to build the city, the name of this ancient city is now resounding everywhere with everyone readily using the name.
There is certain curiosity among the people about how this new city will look like. While the Andhra Pradesh government is trying to raise funds to build the new city, they are getting enough promotion from the common people.
If you travel along the Vijayawada-Guntur road, you will see how the common business men have taken to this name and is using it freely. Hotels, curry points, medical shops, real estate ventures, taxi services and other commercial establishments—everybody is trying to cash in on this name.
There are close to 200 establishments in Vijayawada and Guntur who have named their commercial enterprises after Amaravati. Some far off villages too have taken to this name with great enthusiasm.
Some of them are doing it proudly because this is their way of supporting their new capital. Some others are doing it because of local pride as it will add glory to the region. And a few others are using the name just because everyone else is doing it.
Amaravati is also an ancient religious site and will soon become part of the Buddhist tourist circuit. The village of Amaravati, which has the huge sitting Buddha, will continue to be the heritage site, while the new city will be built just outside it's perimeter.
