Nagarjuna Sagar
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[edit] Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is one of the largest dams built in Asia, located between the cities of Guntur and Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh (India). It is built on the Krishna River between Guntur and Nalgonda districts. It is one of the earliest hydro-electric projects of India.
Nagarjuna dam, which was completed in 1969, is 124 metres high and 1 km long, and has 26 crest gates. The lake behind it is the third-largest man-made lake in the world. This dam is said to be the World's largest masonry dam.
Of late, the inflows into the reservoir have been reduced due to the increased number of projects which have been built upstream.
Located at a distance of 150 km from Hyderabad, Nagarjunasagar is an important irrigation dam on river Krishna. This is the tallest and biggest masonry dam in the world and is about 150 Km away from the metropolitan city of Hyderabad. It creates the third largest man-made lake in the world. Apart from this, some remains of the Buddhist civilization dating back to the 3rd century A.D, are seen on an island called Nagarjunakonda located in a man-made lake on the other side of the river Krishna. These relics of Buddhist civlization found during excavation unveiled the traces of Mahachaitya, the most sacred of the stupas. An inscription in Brahmi characters states that the sacred relics of Lord Buddha lie within the Mahachaitya.
[edit] The Town
Nagarjuna Sagar is among the more popular tourist places around Hyderabad. Nagarjuna Sagar called Vijayapuri (city of victory) in ancient times. Nagarjuna Sagar is named after the Buddhist saint Acharya Nagarjuna. Present day Nagarjuna sagar area has three settlements, Vijayapuri (commonly referred as V. P. South), Pylon and Hill colony. V. P. South is home to many well known educational institutions in the state like Andhra Pradesh Residential Junior College (APRJC) and Andhra Pradesh Residential Degree College (APRDC). The steam boat service to Nagarjuna konda (konda in Telugu means hill) is available from Launch station located in V.P.South.
[edit] Places to visit
The dam separates Nalgonda and Guntur districts. The turbines are located on the Nalgonda side (pylon colony) of the river and even on the right side(guntur side) of the river(vijayapuri south). There are tours available to see the turbines in action.
Nagarjuna konda is a picturesque island situated in the centre of a man-made lake formed due to construction of the dam. One of the most outstanding Buddhist civilizations dating back to the 3rd century were excavated here and are carefully preserved on this island. A Buddhist museum located on this hill preserves several buddhist relics. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department runs a boat service to this island from Vijayapuri south.
- Ethipothala waterfalls
Ethipothala water falls is located nearly 15 miles away from Nagarjuna Sagar en route to Macherla. A beautiful waterfall springs suddenly from plain hard rock.Amenities like guesthouses are provided for the tourists.
Nagarjuna Sagar's foundation was laid by the First Prime Minister of India, Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru, in the month of December, 1955.
[edit] How to reach Nagarjuna Sagar
By Air: Hyderabad is the nearest airport to Nagarjuna Sagar. Nagarjuna Sagar is located 150 km from Hyderabad. There are regular buses from Hyderbad and Guntur to Nagarjuna Sagar. The nearest railway station, Macherla, is 24 km from Nagarjuna Sagar.
Nagarjuna Sagar is 160 km from Hyderabad and can be covered in one day. They can either catch a tourist bus or drive in their own Four Wheelers. Tourists should note that it is advisable to carry your food items and drinking water. Tourists may follow these directions if you are already in Hyderabad or Secunderabad.
The directions given below are after reaching L.B. Nagar.
Route 1: If you are traveling from Dilshuknagar to L.B.Nagar take a right towards Mallepally. If you are traveling from Uppal to L.B.Nagar drive straight ahead towards Mallepally. If you are traveling from Ramoji Film City towards to L.B.Nagar take a left towards Mallepally.
Route 2: Travel around 250 metres and drive left where you should be seeing a signboard -Nagarjuna Sagar 140 km. This route should take you to Ibrahimpatnam which is approximately 40 km from L.B. Nagar. This place is a small village and tourists may stop to have a beverage break or to buy some munchies if desired.
Route 3: Travel around 20 km more to reach Mallepally. The road is a little rough in this area but may not be so through out the year. So I suggest to drive carefully. This place is a small village and tourists may stop to have a beverage break or to buy some munchies if desired.
Route 4: Travel around 80 km more to reach Nagarjuna Sagar. Tourists may note that they are not allowed close to the Dam since August 15, 2006. However, tourists may travel towards the Shiva Temple close to Krishna river. You may also travel towards Nagarjuna Konda which has museum worth watching.
Route 5: Those who are interested may also drive to Ethipothala falls which is 15 km from Nagarjuna Sagar. Tourists may either pay a small fee of Rs.15 and view the falls or trek down towards the falls which is absolutely free of cost.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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