Standing on the popular Krishna River, the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam stands as an example of the engineering prowess of India. Also, this dam is a testament to the rich historical tapestry of the country. If you are exploring places in the borders of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States, you should not miss out on visiting this dam site.
You can gain some crucial details about this place so that you can plan your visit effectively.
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam – An Introduction
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is a monumental structure. The reason is that it plays a crucial role in power generation and irrigation. It serves as a beacon for tourists who look for a place that brings together cultural heritage and natural beauty. The impressive architecture of this dam, along with the most attractive backdrop of the river, makes this dam site a must-visit when tourists are exploring places in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana borders.
History of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
During the early 20th century, the need to harness the potential of the Krishna River was highly felt. This contributed to the inception of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. The foundation stone for this dam was laid by the then Prime Minister of India in 1995. Particularly, the 10th of December in 1955 marked the beginning of a project, the completion of which took almost a decade.
Even though the foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955, the dam became operational after construction only in 1967. Right from the first day, the dam has been playing an important role in transforming the Agrarian landscape of the region.
The dam got its name in honour of revered Buddhist Scholar Acharya Nagarjuna. Also, the construction of the dam contributed to the submerging of the ancient Buddhist Site named Nagarjunakonda. Before the reservoir was formed, extensive archaeological excavations were carried out on this site. Many relics were safely relocated to safeguard the rich heritage of the area.
How to Reach Nagarjuna Sagar Dam?
Thankfully, you can choose different modes to reach this dam site. You can select one of the following modes of transportation:
By Bus
You can find both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh State Road Transportation buses from different parts of both these states to take you to the dam site. For instance, you can find both private and state-run buses from different cities like Guntur, Vijayawada and Hyderabad. The travel experience by bus will be pleasant, with scenic views of the countryside.
By Train
If you would like to travel by train, the nearest railway station to the dam site is Macherla Railway Station. From this railway station, the dam is located at a distance of only 24 km. So, you can cover this distance by hiring a cab. Otherwise, you can also use public transportation to reach the dam.
By Flight
If you plan to choose flight travel, you can book flight tickets to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport from your hometown. From this airport, the dam site is located around 165 km away. However, you can find taxis and bus services from this airport to take you to the dam.
By Car
If you prefer to drive to the dam site, you can take well-maintained roads from nearby cities. Driving from Hyderabad will take around 4-5 hours. From Hyderabad, you will pass through attractive villages to reach the dam site by car.
When you are in Hyderabad, do not forget to plan a visit to Nehru Zoological Park. My post can help you plan your trip to this park.
Key Attractions & Things To Do
You might wonder what other things you can explore other than the dam site when visiting Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. But, you can get a lot of opportunities when it comes to things to do and key attractions in this spot:
Explore the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
Indeed, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is the key attraction. It holds the pride of being one of the largest masonry dams in the entire world. It stretches to nearly 1.6 km, and it stands tall at 124 meters in height across the popular Krishna River. At this site, you will witness the sheer magnitude of the entire structure. Particularly, visiting the dam during the monsoon season will bring you an entirely different experience. You will be stunned by the mesmerizing sight of water peeping out through the 26 crest gates of the dam.
Nagarjuna Konda Museum
This museum is located on an island within the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam reservoir. You can get to see invaluable Buddhist artefacts and relics excavated before the dam was constructed in this region. As it is located on an island, you can reach the museum only by boat. Above all, the boat ride gives excellent panoramic views of the reservoir.
Ethiopathala Waterfalls
When visiting Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, you can cover these waterfalls as well. Even though you will have to travel 11 km from the dam site to reach the waterfall, it will give a satisfactory experience. The waterfall is formed by the Chandravanka River, which is a tributary of the Krishna River. This waterfall is a perfect spot for nature walks and picnics with your friends and family.
Boating
When you are at this dam site, you can engage in boating. The reservoir is expansive. So, you can have a different experience. When boating, you will get a different perspective of the dam and its surrounding areas.
Explore Anupu
This is a reconstructed site. When you visit this place, you will get insights into the ancient Buddhist culture and architecture. The meticulously restored structures in this place will take you back in time.
Nagarjuna Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
If you have nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts in your team, you should not miss out on a visit to the Nagarjuna Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is full of biodiversity encompassing rugged hills and thick forests. You will come across meandering water bodies as well in this sanctuary. You may come across some rare birds, graceful deer and majestic leopards and tigers in this sanctuary. You can take safari rides in this sanctuary.
Laxmi Chennakesava Swamy Temple
Located around 21 km away from the Dam Site, this ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Lord Venkateshwara. The temple has a 60-foot tall gopuram. You will come across intricate carvings of deities. The peaceful ambience and exquisite sculptures make this temple a must-visit. It serves as one of the prominent pilgrim sites for Hindus in this region.
Best Time and Season to Visit
You can plan your trip to the dam during the monsoon or post-monsoon months. This means that you can plan your trip between July and October. The reason is that only during this season will the reservoir be at its fullest water level. The dam’s gate remains open during these months, thereby providing an impressive display of the cascading water. Also, immediately after the monsoon, the weather will be cooler relatively. So, you can easily explore the dam and the nearby attractions by choosing this season.
Duration To See
To completely explore the dam and the attractions in Nagarjuna Sagar, you can plan a trip that lasts for 2 to 3 days. You can experience the beauty of the place by exploring all the places when you two to three days. So, plan your visit accordingly.
Best Restaurants and Cafes Around
- Hotel Siddhartha
- TSTDC Haritha Vijay Vihar
- Youth Hostel Family Restaurant & Canteen
Entry Fee & Ticket Prices
Entry to explore the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is generally free. Nevertheless, access to some areas of the dam site might be restricted for security reasons.
Also, the boat ride to Nagarjunakonda Museum will cost you around ₹150 per adult. For kids, the boating ride will cost around ₹120. These costs are applicable for a round trip. Also, for the museum, you might have to pay an entry fee of ₹20 for adults and ₹15 for kids. Similarly, a meagre fee is collected from visitors to access Ethiopothala Waterfalls.
FAQ
1. How Important is Nagarjuna Sagar Dam?
This dam holds the pride of being one of the world’s largest masonry dams. It plays a crucial role in hydroelectric power generation and irrigation in this region.
2. How Can I Visit the Nagarjuna Sagar Museum?
Through boat ride. The reason is that this museum is located on an island within the reservoir. To help tourists reach the spot, the Telangana Tourism Department has arranged boat rides.
3. At What Times Can I Take the Boat Rides?
Boats to Nagarjunakonda are operated daily. However, on Fridays, the museum remains closed. So, boat rides are not available on Fridays. The first trip on any given day starts at 9.30 am. Again, the second trip is at 1.30 pm. Additional on-demand trips are also arranged for tourists.
Conclusion
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam can provide a satisfying experience for your entire family. With waterfalls, boat rides and exploration of reservoirs, this dam site is sure to bring the best experience to you and your family.
Check out my other blog posts on Andhra Pradesh and Telangana:
Lambasingi: The Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh – A Complete Travel Guide List
Your One-Stop Guide to Araku Valley
A Trip to Gandikota of India, NOT Grand Canyon
Discover Andhra Pradesh – A 10-Day Andhra Pradesh Itinerary To Make It Possible
9-day Telangana Itinerary to Unveil the Attractions of Telangana State
Exploring the Grandeur of Chowmahalla Palace: A Journey Through Time
Plan A Visit To Ananthagiri Hills By Reading This Guide
