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Pilgrimage Guide › Sacred Sites 19–27 › Nagarjunakonda
Nagarjunakonda is an island in the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir of Andhra Pradesh. The ancient Buddhist valley was flooded when the dam was built in 1960, and its key monuments were moved to the island, where a museum now tells their story.
Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir, Andhra Pradesh
About 3rd century BCE to 4th century CE
Ferry from Vijayapuri South (about 45 minutes)
Closed on Fridays
Hyderabad (about 165 km)
October to March
Nagarjunakonda is named after Acharya Nagarjuna, the 2nd-century Buddhist philosopher who founded the Madhyamaka school. The valley once had about 30 Buddhist monasteries, stupas and centres of learning.
Before the reservoir was filled, excavations found monasteries, apsidal temples and over 100 Brahmi inscriptions recording donors from as far as Sri Lanka, Bengal and Central Asia. The site shows how Buddhism in Andhra influenced Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, including Thailand.
Acharya Nagarjuna’s teachings on emptiness and the Middle Way shaped Mahayana Buddhism across Asia. Visiting the place named after him is a meaningful act for many pilgrims.
The inscriptions found here record donors from Sri Lanka, which shows the close links between the monks of Andhra and the Theravada world. For Thai pilgrims, it is a reminder of the long journey the Dharma made from India to Sri Lanka and on to Southeast Asia. The quiet island, reached by boat, adds to the sense of pilgrimage.
Nagarjunakonda Island is reached only by ferry from the Vijayapuri South launch station at Nagarjuna Sagar; the ride takes about 45 minutes and runs a few times a day. The nearest airport is Hyderabad (about 165 km) and the nearest railway station is Macherla (about 25 km). Hotels are available at Nagarjuna Sagar town.
October to March is ideal; summer (April–June) is very hot. The island museum is closed on Fridays. Arrive early to catch a morning ferry, and allow 2–3 hours on the island. Combine with Amaravati for a South India Buddhist trail.
Prime Value Tours can include this sacred place in a private tour for your group, with an English or Thai-speaking guide, comfortable air-conditioned transport, vegetarian meals and unhurried time for chanting and meditation at every stop. Tell us your group size and travel dates, and we will plan the best route and send your quotation within 24 hours.
Take the ferry from the Vijayapuri South launch station at Nagarjuna Sagar. The ride takes about 45 minutes.
No. The island museum is closed on Fridays.
It is named after Acharya Nagarjuna, the great 2nd-century Buddhist philosopher who founded the Madhyamaka school.
The ancient valley was flooded by the Nagarjuna Sagar dam (1960). Key monuments were moved to a hilltop, which became an island.
About 165 km to Nagarjuna Sagar by road, followed by the ferry to the island.
Government-approved tour operator from Varanasi since 1999. Private Buddhist pilgrimage tours for Thai and Southeast Asian groups, with English or Thai-speaking guides.
