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BUDDHIST DESTINATION |
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BUDDHIST SITES |
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| NAGARJUNA KONDA |
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Located 150 kms. from Hyderabad, Nagarjuna Konda or Nagarjuna Hill was named after the Buddhist scholar and saint Acharya Nagarjuna. The site is situated in Macherla Mandal of the district Guntur, Andhra Pradesh in South India. The ancient township has submerged under the third largest manmade lake caused by the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam built across Krishna river. It is approachable by motor launches operating from Vijaypuri South. Macherla is the nearest railway station located 24 kms. west of Vijaypuri south.
The crescentic fertile Krishna velley, girdled on three side by high hill of NallaMala range, offered its cradle to the nomadic prehistoric man. Buddhist probabely entered the Krishna valley during the life time of master (Lord Buddha period) with the branching of the Mahasanghikas from the orthodox Hinayana in the second Buddhist council at Vaishali (Bihar). The valley became a vibrant centre of the dissident Buddhist Sangha. Amarvati and Nagarjunakonda (Sriputa) nourished the Mahasanghikas schism (order). Due to the ardent efforts of Acharya Nagarjuna, the valley developed into being the nucleus of Buddhist studies. Inscriptions found at the site bespeak that it attracted the attention of royality, merchantile elite and zealous missionaries alike from the far-off regions. |
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| Nagarjuna Konda Attractions |
Ethipothala Water falls : The waterfalls are natural and the scenic beauty of the place is mesmerizing, the Chandravanka river flows down straight from a height of 70 ft, with hammering sounds and swift speed, and thrashes on to a lagoon which, serves as a crocodile breeding centre. So, you get another attraction for the time and price of one. The flow rushes in to a deep green forest.
Ethipothala is a popular picnic spot, not only for the reptiles, but also for the tourist folk.
Nagarjuna Konda museum : The museum houses all the important excavated items including relics by Buddha himself, stone images, Jataka tales encrypted panels and many other inscriptions.
Nagarjuna sagar waterfall : The dam, which caters to irrigation 10 lakh acres of land, is one of the largest man-made dams in the world. In the middle it contains the Nagarjuna Sagar Island which houses a museum. |
| How to Reach |
Air - Nearest is the Hyderabad Airport.
Rail - Macherla is the nearest railhead, 20 km from Nagarjuna Sagar.
Road - Nagarjuna Sagar is located at 150 km from Hyderabad, well connected by Road.
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