The excavated remains of the Buddhist civilization have been reconstructed and are carefully preserved at Nagarjunakonda, a unique Island museum, situated in the midst of the man-made Nagarjunasagar lake.

Constructed In the shape of a Buddhist Vihara, the museum houses a stupendous collection of relics of Buddhist art and culture. Famous relics include a small tooth and an ear-ring believed to be of the Buddha. The main stupa of Nagarjunakonda called Mahachaitya is believed to contain the sacred relics of lhe Buddha. A partly ruined monolithic statue of the Buddha, that's at once a striking-image of peace and poise, is the main attraction at the museum.

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 around the turn of the 2nd century AD and was the 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

Nagarjuna Konda :- is about 150 kms. southeast of Hyderabad, the state capital of Andhra Pradesh.

There is a regular ferry service to Nagarjuna konda.

Regular buses link Hyderabad, Warangal, Vijaywada and Guntur with Nagarjuna Sagar.

The nearest railway station is at Macherla, 29 km from Nagarjuna Sagar.