Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Andhra Pradesh

Nagarjunasagar, a massive irrigation project on the River Krishna, about 150 km from Hyderabad, has a rich and iteresting past. It was a valley in the Nallamala range of the Eastern Ghats with civilizations dating back to thousands of years. Recorded history, however, assigns the first signs to the later Satavahanas and subsequently the Ikshvakus in the third century.

The Sriparvata and Vijayapuri of yore were really temples where the famous savant and Buddhist Philosopher Acharya Nagarjuna preached the message of the Buddha.

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Andhra Pradesh

Front view of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

Anupu: To prevent submersion of the outstanding structures in the valley, a rare feat of reconstruction of the remains was taken up. Anupu, 4 km from the dam site, was chosen for relocation of a Buddhist University.

Budha Statue at Anupu

Nagarjunakonda:

This site is an ancient remains that lies 150km southeast of Hyderabad. Two major excavations were carried out before 1953, when it became known that the area would be flooded by the Nagarjuna Sagar. A major six-year excavation resulted in the discovery of Buddhist ruins, stupas, viharas, chaityas and mandapams and some outstanding white marble depictions of Buddha’s life. The finds were reassembled on Nagarjunakonda, an island in the middle of the dam.

Prehistoric remains of began here around 200,000 years ago. From the 2nd century BC until the early 3rd century AD, Nagarjunakonda and nearby Amaravathi became powerful sites of Hindu and Buddhist empires.

The NagarjunaKonda Museum here has the various artifacts of the excavations.

Great Stupa at Nagarjuna Konda

Tiger sanctuary: The largest wildlife sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh lies between Nagarjunasagar and upstream Srisailam. Spreadover 3,500 sq.km, it encompasses thickly wooded hills in five districts - Nalgonda, Kurnool, Mahboobnagar, Guntur and Prakasam.

Tiger Sanctuary Near Srisailam Forest

How to Reach This Place

Road : Located at 150 km from Hyderabad. Well connected by Road.

Rail : 20 kms from Macherla.

Air : Hyderabad Airport.