ASI Archaeological Museum, Amaravathi

The ASI Archaeological Museum at Amaravathi in Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh, is located adjacent to the ancient Amaravati Mahachaitya on the banks of the Krishna River. Established in 1954 and managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, it houses an extensive collection of limestone sculptures, drum and dome slabs, Buddha images, inscriptions and relics excavated from the Amaravati Stupa dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE, representing the Amaravati School of Art.

Visitors can expect a compact, well-organized museum with three main galleries displaying limestone sculptures excavated from the Amaravati Mahachaitya. Exhibits include Buddha statues in various postures, intricately carved drum and dome slabs depicting Jataka stories, lotus medallions, inscriptions, relic caskets and architectural fragments. The museum is set in a quiet compound next to the stupa site with landscaped grounds, display boards explaining Buddhist art and history, and a clear chronological layout of Satavahana and Ikshvaku period artefacts.