This is one of India's richest Buddhist sites, known in the ancient times as Sri Parvata. It now lies almost entirely under the Nagarjunasagar Dam. The monasteries and chaityas were reconstructed on top of a hill called Nagarjunakonda (konda is the Telgu word for hill), which rises from the middle of the lake.
The island takes its name from the Buddhist monk, Nagarjuna, who lived here around the turn of the 2nd century AD and was an exponent of the philosophy of sunyata (void). Statues, friezes, coins and jewellery found at the site are housed in a museum on the island and give a fascinating insight into the daily lives of this ancient Buddhist centre. Earlier it used to be known as Vijayapur. The site was discovered in 1926. Subsequent excavations, particularly in the '50s and '60s, have unearthed the remains of stupas, viharas, chaityas and mandapams.
How To Get There
- Nagarjunakonda is about 150 kms. southeast of Hyderabad, the state capital of Andhra Pradesh.
- There is a regular ferry service to Nagarjunakonda.
- The easiest way to visit these places is to take the tour organised by the APTTDC.
- Regular buses link Hyderabad, Warangal, Vijaywada and Guntur with Nagarjuna Sagar.
- The nearest railway station is at Macherla, 29 km from Nagarjuna Sagar, - a branch line running west from Guntur - and regular buses leave there for Nagarjuna Sagar.
- Launches to Nagarjunakonda museum depart from Nagarjuna Sagar at 9.30 am and 1.30 pm.
Some interesting places
Ethipothala Waterfalls
They are 11 kms downstream, from the Nagarjuna Sagar in a beautiful valley. The Chandravanka stream here cascades into a breathtaking lagoon and flows on through the lush valley. For accomodation there is a A.P Tourism's Ethipothala guest house.
Amaravati
Amravati in the present and Dhanyakataka in the past, this is about 38 kms from Vijaywada, and can also be reached via Guntur, 35 kms away. An emissary of Emperor Ashoka, who went to propagate Buddhism in the region, laid the foundation of the Great Stupa at Amaravati. It has a brick-built circular vedica (drum) and platforms projecting in the four cardinal directions. Much of the vast archaelogical findings from the site, magnificent sculpted friezes, medallions and railings, are now exhibited in the British Museum, London, and the National Museum, Delhi. There is also a small Archaeological Museum on the site containing some of the finds from the area. Some of the exhibits are from other sites in the Krishna valley region as well.
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