A day trip to Nagarjuna Sagar & Ethipothala Waterfalls

Travelers never think that they are the foreigners.

- Mason Cooley

Nagarjuna Sagar

The multipurpose Nagarjuna Sagar Project on the river Krishna in Nalagonda district, located at a distance of 150 kms from Hyderabad.

Nagarjuna Konda

The tallest and biggest masonry dam in the world, Nagarjuna Sagar creates the third largest man-made lake in the world, accounts for 408 tmcft at full level. It was built at a cost of Rs. 91 crores. At present rates, a dam of this size would have cost over Rs. 30,000 crores.

The foundation stone of the Dam was laid by the late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India on 10.12.1955. The Nandikonda Project was renamed as Nagarjunasagar Project under the inspiring name of the great Buddhist Savant, Acharaya Nagarjuna and construction commenced from the year 1956 and Dam construction was completed in the year 1969 and water was first let out partially in the canals during the year 1967. Erection of gates on spillway was completed during the year 1974.

It is one of the earliest hydro-electric projects of India. Nagarjunasagar dam, which was completed in 1966, is 124 metres high and 1 km long, and has 26 crest gates.

Buddist Bathing ghat at Nagarjuna hill

HISTORY:

It is one of the most prominent Buddhist centers and attractive tourist spots in Andhra Pradesh. Known in ancient days as Vijayapuri, Nagarjunasagar takes its present name from Nagarjuna, one of the most revered Buddhist monks, who governed the sangha for nearly 60 years around the turn of the 2nd century AD. It is also a place of immense archaeological significance and excavations which reveal Nagarjunasagar as a center for the propagation of Buddhist teachings in South India.

Myself

One of the early river valley civilizations took birth here. Enthused by the peaceful environs of this place, Buddhists made this land a great hub of learning, setting up one of the four major Viharas here. Further down in history, one of the first Hindu kingdoms of South India, Ikshvakus made this city their capital. Once Vijayapuri, today Nagarjunasagar, this hoary land of antiquity and enligtment, now boasts of the world's tallest masonry dam.

ATTRACTIONS NEAR NAGARJUNA SAGAR:

• Some of the tourist attractions to visit during a tour to Nagarjuna Sagar are the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.
• Around the dam are the historic sites where relics of Buddhist excavations dating back to the 3rd century were found.
• Nagarjunakonda is an interesting island museum located in the midst of the Nagarjuna Sagar Lake. The museum houses significant relics of Buddhist culture and art that make it an important place to visit during a tour to Nagarjuna Sagar. Mahachaitya, the main stupa of the museum contains relics of Buddha.

Beautifull Ethipothala waterfalls

• Ethipothala is a beautiful stream flowing down the mountain and which drops a height of 21 meters to form a lagoon. The lagoon is well known for the crocodile breeding centre.

HOW TO REACH?

• Nagarjuna Sagar is easily accessible by rail, road and air. The nearest airport is in Hyderabad which is about 150 kilometers away. The nearest railway station is in Macherial which is about 27 kilometers away. Regular buses connect Nagarjuna Sagar with cities like Hyderabad, Warangal, Guntur and Vijayawada.
• It is well connected by road. APSRTC Runs buses from Hyderabad and Various towns. It is very close to Macherla and Miryalguda, where we can find some good hotels.
• There are bus services available for Nagarjuna Konda from nearby cities including Hyderabad. By bus it takes less than 4 hrs from Hyderabad to reach the place. The nearest rail head to the place is the one at Macherla. It is about 20 kms from Nagarjuna Konda.

With my cousin: Naresh

MY TRAVEL ITINERARY:

• Today Nagarjunakonda along with Nagarjunasagar attracts many tourists from South East Asian Countries and also from all over India - thanks to the efforts of the Archaelogical Survey of India.
• I had visited along with my Brother-in-law, my sister, my cousins.
• We covered Nagarjuna sagar dam, Nagarjuna Konda and Ethipothala waterfalls by AP Tourism bus.
• The Bus started from Begumpet at 8:00 AM and reach Nagarjuna sagar around 1:30 PM. There we had lunch at AP Tourism's Vennala Resorts.
• After visiting Nagarjunakond and Ethipothala waterfalls, we return to Hyderabad around 12 AM.