Nagarjunakonda Archaeological Museum

The Nagarjunakonda Archaeological Museum is located on Nagarjunakonda Island in the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir near Macherla in Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh. Established in 1966 by the Archaeological Survey of India to house finds from excavations before the reservoir submerged the valley, it preserves relics of the 3rd-4th century Ikshvaku period and earlier Buddhist settlement associated with Acharya Nagarjuna. The museum displays sculptures, inscriptions, pottery and reconstructed Buddhist remains.

Visitors reach the museum by a boat ride from Vijayapuri South jetty to Nagarjunakonda Island in the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir. The museum building is designed to resemble a Buddhist monastery and houses galleries displaying Buddha images, limestone sculptures, inscriptions, coins, pottery, jewellery and relics excavated from the valley. Outside, reconstructed stupas, chaityas, viharas and other structural remains are preserved on the island. The setting is quiet and isolated, surrounded by water and low hills.