major Buddhist pilgrimage site, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is about 150 kms from Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh in South India. taking its name from the Buddhist saint and scholar Acharya Nagarjuna who is said to have established a centre of learning here, Nagarjuna Sagar today is home to Nagarjuna Sagar Dam - the world's tallest masonry dam that irrigates over 10 lakh acres of land in the region. It was during the constructions of the dam when the ruins of an ancient Buddhist civilisation were uncovered here.
Some of the traces unearthed have been concernedly safeguarded and maintained on Nagarjuna Konda, an island with amazing surroundings located in the centre of a man-made lake. The remnants of a sacred Buddhist stupa, vihara, monastries, a university and a sacrificial altar have been anxiously rebuilt at Anupu on the east bank of the reservoir. The lake, at a distance of 4 km from the dam is the third largest artificial lake in the world. This dam offers some exotic views of the spectacular landscape in its surroundings. Near the dam is an idol of Lord Nagarjuna, placed on a tower.