- A visit to the Nagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda promises to be an experience of a kind. The Nagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda has the unique distinction of being the sole island museum in the whole world. It is located in the midst of the Nagarjuna Sagar Lake in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. Nagarjunakonda was a major Buddhist center at one point of time. A large number of Buddhists lived here.
- TheNagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda attempts to preserve the excavated remains of the Buddhist civilization at Nagarjunakonda. In fact the building of the Nagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda is akin to that of a Buddhist Vihara. The museum is also named after the founder of Mahayana Buddhism, Nagarjuna. One can get valuable insight into the Buddhist culture prevalent in this region by wandering around the museum. It is almost like taking a walk back in time.
- One will simply be amazed to see the astounding collection of relics of Buddhist art and culture housed in the Nagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda. The exquisite sandal stone sculptures in this historical museum are sure to impress any visitor.
- The chief attraction is the monolithic statue of Lord Buddha. The magnificent statue stands tall and the posture is very graceful. The expression of peace and poise is very amazing. Apart from this elegant statue, there are several exquisitely carved stone slabs in theNagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda.
- The carvings in the slabs depict the life of Buddha. They adorned the Stupas at one point of time but are currently to be seen in this museum of Andhra Pradesh. In fact there is a tooth and an ear ring in the Nagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda which supposedly belonged to the Buddha himself.
- Other valuable exhibits of the museum include tools which belonged to the Paleolithic and Neolithic age. There are coins, jewelleries and friezes (architectural ornaments) belonging to prehistoric times and these can be counted amongst the priceless possessions of the Nagarjunakonda Museum in Nagarjunakonda.
- Nagarjunakonda is open on all days except Fridays from 9.30 in the morning to 4.45 in the evening. However no cameras are allowed within the museum. Photography is strictly prohibited.
- Ethipothala Waterfalls is among the rising tourist attractions in Andhra Pradesh. Apart form the locales, it was not very famous among outside people till recently.
- But now it is frequently visited by foreigners. Nestling amid lush green surroundings, Ethipothala Waterfall is situated around 11 Km from Nagarjunasagar.
- The 70 feet waterfall cascading from Chandravanka hills is close to many Buddhist sites which attracts more people to this region. The stream of water joins a lagoon nearby.
- This site is used for breeding of crocodiles and you can easily site a crocodile just lying on the banks.
- Ethipothala Waterfall is also a great place for mild trekking and camping along with refreshing nature sightseeing.
- Tyda Nature camp located 75 kms from Visakhapatnam on the Araku road. Tyda is being developed with camping facilities at jungle bells to provide an enchanting experience in the wilderness to the tourists.
- A home for a variety of wild mammals and avifauna, Tyda is ideal for viewing wild life and bird watching.
- The main attractions include rock climbing, trekking and target shooting with bow & arrows.
- They can also learn the language of the jungle viz., identification of calls, marks etc. and understanding interesting features of various flora and fauna of eastern ghats with the help of naturalists/guides.
- Tourists can enjoy their stay in log huts and tents set in tribal environs.
