Nagarjunakonda is a historical town, now an island located near Nagarjuna Sagar in Guntur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, near the state border with Telangana. Nagarjunakonda has some original unmarked remains, a few relocated monuments from the flooded valley, an amphitheatre and a museum.

Overview

A Partially submerged hill of the Nallamal Range, Nagarjunakonda is located close to the right bank of the Krishna. It is named after the Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna, who is said to have lived here and propounded his doctrine of sunyavada.

Nagarjunakonda has some original unmarked remains, a few relocated monuments from the flooded valley, an amphi Theatre and a museum containing sculptures and inscriptions ranging from more than two millennia to 200 years in age.

Significance

The oldest reconstructed monuments here are the megaliths dating back to the 2nd century BCE. The megaliths, now a dug-up pit encircled by stones, mark burial spots. The 21 megaliths discovered skeletons, shards of bones and funerary items such as black and red ware and iron artefacts.

There is a mahachaitya with a dated inscription, which is the earliest monument at the site. It came up before the advent of the Ikshvaku Dynasty, but was re-embellished by an Ikshvaku king in the 2nd Century CE, with financial aid from the subjects. Interestingly, 90 per cent of the donors were women.

Photos

How to Reach

Nearest airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad(146km/3 hrs).

Macherla (24km/30mins) is only served by a few trains. Convenient railhead: Miryalaguda railway station is served by trains from Delhi and Chennai. 

Nagarjuna Sagar is well connected to various parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana by good roads. NH565 passes through the city.

Highlights

Pedakakani: This village is famous for the Kakani Malleswara Swamy Temple, which was constructed during the rule of the Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya. 

Chebrole: It is said that there were around 1,000 temples in Chebrole long ago. Once you reach Chebrole, the possibility of the same doesn't seem unlikely as you will be able to see a temple in every direction you look.

Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary: Migratory birds from various countries such as Serbia and Australia flock to the Uppalapadu

Mahachaitya: Amaravati Mahachaitya is one of the most prominent sites of Buddhist pilgrimage in south India

Mangalagiri: Located in the Guntur district, Mangalagiri is a town synonymous with the gorgeous sari of the same name that is made here.

Amareswara Swamy Temple: The temple in Amaravati, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the pancharama kshetras in Andhrapradesh.