Archaeological Museum Nagarjunakonda
| Place | Nagarjunakonda |
|---|---|
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 1966 |
| Museum Type | Archaeological / Site Museum |
| National Importance Museum | Yes |
| Address | Archaeological Museum, Nagarjunakonda, P.O. Vijyapuri South, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh - 522439 |
| Visiting Time | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Closed on Fridays) |
| Entry Fee | Rs. 20 (Indian/SAARC/BIMSTEC citizens) Rs. 250 (Foreigners) Children below 15: Free (Note: Ferry c |
Museum Introduction
Established in 1966, this is India’s first island museum, located in the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir. It was built to house the vast archaeological wealth salvaged from the Nagarjunakonda valley before its submergence by the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. The museum’s architecture is inspired by a traditional Buddhist Vihara.
General Collections
The collection spans from the Early Stone Age to the 16th century AD. It features prehistoric tools, Neolithic remains, and a significant assembly of Buddhist and Brahmanical sculptures, limestone relief panels, and inscriptions from the Ikshvaku dynasty.
Unique Historical Collections
The museum preserves a unique collection of Buddhist art from the "Later Andhra" style (3rd-4th century AD) and detailed limestone slabs depicting Jataka stories and the life of Buddha, all salvaged through one of India's largest ever "salvage archaeology" operations.
Additional Information
| Video URL | https://youtu.be/JnrEf8NtfjI?si=dGcebyQpiWDi6bd3 |
|---|---|
| Archaeological Survey of India | Yes |
| Notes | Access to the museum is only possible via a boat/ferry service operated by the Telangana Tourism Department from the Vijayapuri South jetty. The museum remains closed on Fridays. |
| Artifacts | Memorial pillar of King Vasishthiputra Chamtamula; Relic Caskets (Gold and Silver); Inscribed Ayaka-pillars; Mandhatu Jataka relief panels; Standing Buddha image; Sanskrit inscription of Pushpabhadrasvamin; Roman Gold Coins. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | +91 86422 78107 |
| Email ID | museumnagarjunakondaasi@gmail.com |