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NAGARJUNA SAGAR : Imagine visiting a place where at one go you have an unfettered view of the past and the present. Where the finest examples of human achievement can be witnessed. A site that once was home to a highly evolved civilization and which is today a location that represents the high point in ht evolution of construction activity.

Welcome to Nagarjunasagar : A two and a half hour pleasure drive from the capital city of Andhra Pradesh , Hyderabad , takes you to the township of Vijaypuri . Nested in the most picturesque surroundings, this was the seat of the erstwhile Iksvaku Kingdom , over seventeen hundred years ago.

Nagarjunasagar Dam : There would be very few modern constructions you will come across that evoke such a response.A feeling of awe and in significance overcomes you when you lay eyes upon the Nagarjunsagar 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, it 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- its – has created one of the world's largest man-made lake! The reservoir is a vital source of irrigation for vast tract of the surrounding region.

The two left and right canals, Lal Bahadur and Jawahar canal respectively, cater to the watering need of a very large area of the state. Successfully transforming a barren, thirsty land into 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-

Dhanyankataka, capital of the Satavahanas; Sriparvata, Vijaypuri, capital of the Ikshvakus and a Buddhist civilization that thrived here in the third and fourth centuries B.C what is of special to historians is the fact that the excavations also revealed the existence of Brahmanical temples here which indicate 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 A.D. it was named after Acharya Nagarjuna, a renowned Buddhist scholar and philosopher, spread the Buddha's message of universal peace and brotherhood. The founder of Mahyana Buddhis, this revered monk governed the sangha fro almost 60 years and the Madhyamika school established attracted students from far and wide including Sri Lanka and China .

At the site, excavating have unearthed a university, monastires, aswamedha altar, royal baths, advanced drainage system, viharas, chaityas, amandapam as well as white marble carvings and sculptures depicting 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 sacred of them all. The Brahmi characters inscribed on it reveal that the remains of Lord Buddha are preserved within it.

With the consturctin of the Nafjunasagar dam and the subsequent flooding of this site by the rising waters, 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 house invaluable relics such as stone tools and weapons from the Paleolithic and Neolthic ages, which were found at the same site.

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

Anupu : A short distance away at Anupu, the Buddihst Universtiy 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' from every body interested in history, culture and architecture.

Ethipothala : Eight kms from Nagarjunasar is the Ethipothala waterfalls, which means to 'lift and pour' and the impressive picnic spot has the hill stream Chandravanka cascading down 22 metres to join the mainstream Krishna river. The waterfall has created a beautiful lagoon below.

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

While at Nagajunasagar : During your visit to Nagjunasagar, there are other places of great historical, cultural and religious significance that you could visit, in the proximity.