Nagarjuna Sagar

Special places in Nagarjunasagar

Nagarjuna Sagar

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

The Sriparvata and Vijaypuri of yore were really temples where the famous savant and Bhuddist disciple Archarya Nagarjuna preached the message of the Buddha.

The historic location takes its name from the Buddhist saint and scholar Acharya Nagarjuna who is said to have set up a centre of learning here. Today, Nagarjuna Sagar is home to Nagarjuna Sagar Dam - the world's tallest masonry dam that irrigates over 10 lakh acres of land.

It was during the building of the dam that the ruins of an ancient Buddhist civilisation were excavated here. Some of the relics unearthed have been carefully preserved on a picturesque island called Nagarjuna Konda, located in the centre of a man-made lake. The vestiges of a sacred Buddhist
stupa, vihara, monastries, a university and a sacrificial altar have been carefully reconstructed at Anupu on the east bank of the reservoir

Nagaujunakonda

As the area was threatened with submergence by the reservoir, an Archaeological Survey team made determined efforts to virtually transplant nine monuments from the valley onto Nagarjunakonda.

The hill forms an island in the middle of the reservoir. A museum at Nagarjunakonda contains Buddhadatu or Buddist relics to virtually transplant nine monuments from the valley onto Nagarjunakonda.

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

Nagarjunasagar Dam

There would be very few modern constructions you will come across that evoke such a response. A feeling of awe and significance overcomes you when you lay eyes upon the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam for the first time. Its sheer size and magnitude leaves you breathless and astounded. As the tallest and largest masonry dam in the world,truly stands as one of the wonders of engineering excellence.

Stretching across the mighty river Krishna, the barrage also has another distinction to its credit - it has created one of the world's largest man-made lake! The reservoir is a vital source of irrigation for vast tracts of the surroundings region. The two left and right canals, called Bahadur Canal and Jawahar canal respectively, cater to the watering needs of a very large area of the state. Successfully transforming a barren, thirsty land into a lush verdant landscape with acres and acres of green fields swaying in the breeze as far as the eye can see. Naturally, it has played a leading role in helping the state of Andhra Pradesh emerge as' the Rice Bowl of India'

Significantly, the creation of this lake has submerged the excavations that were carried out here in 1926 which unearthed three historical sites- Dhanyakataka, capital of the Satavahanas; Sriparvata, Vijayapuri, capital of the Ikshvakus and a Buddist civilization that thrived here in the third and fourth centuries B.C. What is of special interest to historians is the fact that the excavations also revealed the existence of Brahmanical temples here which indicates that Hinduism and Buddhism flourished together in peaceful co-existence.

All the archeological findings and relics have been removed from here and carefully preserved on an island in the middle of the lake - Nagarjunakonda.

Nagarjunakonda

Nagarjunakonda was one of the largest and most important Buddhist centres in South India from the second century BC until the third century AD. It was named after Acharya Nagarjuna, a renowed Buddhist scholar and philosopher, who had migrated here from Amarvati to propagate and spread the Buddha's message of universal peace and brotherhood. The founder of Mahayana Buddhism, this revered monk governed the sangha for almost 60 years and the Madhyamika school be established attracted students from far and wide including Sri Lanka and China.

As the site, excavations have unearthed a university, monastries, aswamedha altar, royal baths, advanced drainage system, viharas, chaityas, mandapams the life and times of the Buddha. Of special significance is the finding of nine stupa- like structures arranged in a wheel shaped formation which includes the Mahachaitya, the most sacred of them all. The Brahmi characters inscribed on it reveal that the remains of Lord Buddha are preserved within it.

With the construction of the Nagarjunasagar dam and the subsequent flooding of this site by the rising water, all the priceless finds have been shifted to an island in the middle of the lake. The ruins were transported and reconstructed at the unique island museum, in the form of an ancient Buddhist Vihara. So that visitors can get a glimpse of a great chapter in Indian history and see for themselves a rich culture that has successfully survived through the centuries. Along with these, the museum also houses invaluable relics such as stone tools and weapons from the Paleolthic and Neolithic ages, which were found at the same site.

The mammoth task undertaken to shift the archeological treasures and preserve them at another location is reminiscent of the famous Abu Simbel operation carried out in Egypt.

Anupa

A short distance away at Anupa, the Bhuddist University and Stadium, which were excavated at Nagarjunasagar, have been reconstructed. The stadium boasts of the most amazing acoustics that are truly remarkable considering the time and age when it was built. a place that qualifies as a 'must-see' for everybody interested in history, culture and architecture.

Ethipothala Waterfalls

just about 11 kms from the Nagarjunasagar Dam are the Ethipothala Waterfalls on the Chadravanka river, a tributary of the Krishna. In absolutely scenic surroundings, you can marvel at the shimmering water as it cascades down 70 feet into a lagoon. The picture postcard beauty of the place with verdant valleys together with numerous cave temples that dot the hilly countryside, have made this a favorite picnic spot of visitors.

While at Ethipothala, another place well worth a visit is the crocodile breeding centre. Here you can safely see these reptiles from close quarters and observe their fascinating habits.

Also do visit A.P Tourism Souvenir Shop Gnapika at Ethipothala where you can get great gifts & memntos crafted by artisans of Andhra Pradesh.