You do not have permission to edit this page, for the following reasons:

This IP address has been blocked from editing Wikipedia.
This does not affect your ability to read Wikipedia pages.
Most people who see this message have done nothing wrong. Some kinds of blocks restrict editing from specific service providers or telecom companies in response to recent abuse or vandalism, and can sometimes affect other users who are unrelated to that abuse. Review the information below for assistance if you do not believe that you have done anything wrong.

The IP address or range 54.163.0.0/16 has been blocked (disabled) by ‪Blablubbs‬ for the following reason(s):

The IP address that you are currently using has been blocked because it is believed to be a web host provider or colocation provider. To prevent abuse, web hosts and colocation providers may be blocked from editing Wikipedia.
You will not be able to edit Wikipedia using a web host or colocation provider because it hides your IP address, much like a proxy or VPN.
We recommend that you attempt to use another connection to edit. For example, if you use a proxy or VPN to connect to the internet, turn it off when editing Wikipedia. If you edit using a mobile connection, try using a Wi-Fi connection, and vice versa. If you are using a corporate internet connection, switch to a different Wi-Fi network. If you have a Wikipedia account, please log in.
If you do not have any other way to edit Wikipedia, you will need to request an IP block exemption.

How to appeal if you are confident that your connection does not use a colocation provider's IP address:
If you are confident that you are not using a web host, you may appeal this block by adding the following text on your talk page: ((unblock|reason=Caught by a colocation web host block but this host or IP is not a web host. My IP address is _______. Place any further information here. ~~~~)). You must fill in the blank with your IP address for this block to be investigated. Your IP address can be determined here. Alternatively, if you wish to keep your IP address private you can use the unblock ticket request system. There are several reasons you might be editing using the IP address of a web host or colocation provider (such as if you are using VPN software or a business network); please use this method of appeal only if you think your IP address is in fact not a web host or colocation provider.

Administrators: The IP block exemption user right should only be applied to allow users to edit using web host in exceptional circumstances, and requests should usually be directed to the functionaries team via email. If you intend to give the IPBE user right, a CheckUser needs to take a look at the account. This can be requested most easily at SPI Quick Checkuser Requests. Unblocking an IP or IP range with this template is highly discouraged without at least contacting the blocking administrator.

This block will expire on 17:28, 10 March 2024.

Even when blocked, you will usually still be able to edit your user talk page, as well as email administrators and other editors.

For information on how to proceed, please read the FAQ for blocked users and the guideline on block appeals. The guide to appealing blocks may also be helpful.

Other useful links: Blocking policy · Help:I have been blocked
Your IP address is in a range that has been blocked on all Wikimedia Foundation wikis. The block was made by ‪Jon Kolbert‬. The reason given is Open proxy/Webhost: See the help page if you are affected .
- Start of block: 18:27, 12 November 2023
- Expiry of block: 18:27, 12 November 2028
Your current IP address is 54.163.179.242. The blocked range is 54.163.0.0/16. Please include all above details in any queries you make. If you believe you were blocked by mistake, you can find additional information and instructions in the No open proxies global policy. Otherwise, to discuss the block please post a request for review on Meta-Wiki. You could also send an email to the stewards VRT queue at stewards@wikimedia.org including all above details.

You can view and copy the source of this page:

((short description|Historical town in Andhra Pradesh, India))
((Use dmy dates|date=January 2019))
((Use Indian English|date=January 2019))
((Infobox historic site
| name = Nagarjuna Konda
| native_name = 
| native_language = te
| image = Buddhist site 3rd century AD.jpg
| caption =Ruins of the site
| alt = Ruins of the site
| locmapin = India
| map_relief = yes
| coordinates = ((coord|16|31|18.82|N|79|14|34.26|E|display=inline,title))
| location = [[Macherla]] mandal, [[Palnadu district]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India
| area =
| built =
| architect =
| architecture =
| governing_body = [[Archaeological Survey of India]]
))
[[File:MET DT5217 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Drum panel depicting a stupa with the Buddha's [[descent from Trāyastriṃśa heaven]], second half 3rd century.<ref>[https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/38238 MET museum page</ref>]]

'''Nagarjunakonda''': Nāgārjunikoṇḍa, meaning '''Nagarjuna Hill''') is a historical town, now an island located near [[Nagarjuna Sagar]] in [[Palnadu district]] of the [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref name="AHL_1938">((cite web | url=http://ccbs.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-ENG/long.htm | title=The Great Stupa at Nagarjunakonda in Southern India | publisher=ntu.edu.tw | work=The Indian Antiquary | date=October 1932 | pages=186–192 | first=A. H. | last=Longhurst | access-date=13 January 2019 ))</ref><ref>((Cite web|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2017-02-13/Palnadu-aspires-for-separate-district-status/280287|title=Palnadu aspires for separate district status|last=Syamsundar|first=V. L.|date=2017-02-13|website=www.thehansindia.com|access-date=2019-05-28))</ref>  It is one of India's richest Buddhist sites, and now lies almost entirely under the lake created by the [[Nagarjuna Sagar Dam]]. With the construction of the dam, the archaeological relics at Nagarjunakonda were submerged, and had to be excavated and transferred to higher land, which has become an island.

The site was once the location of a large Buddhist monastic university complex, attracting students from as far as [[China]], [[Gandhara]], [[Bengal]] and [[Sri Lanka]].((Citation needed|date=December 2023)) There are ruins of several [[Mahayana Buddhist]] and [[Hinduism|Hindu]] shrines.<ref name="TRB_1993">((cite book |author=T. Richard Blurton |title=Hindu Art |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xJ-lzU_nj_MC&pg=PA53 |year=1993 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0-674-39189-5 |pages=53–54))</ref> It is 160&nbsp;km west of another important historic site, the [[Amaravati Stupa]]. The sculptures found at Nagarjunakonda are now mostly removed to various museums in India and abroad. They represent the second most important group in the distinctive "Amaravati style", sometimes called "Later Andhra".<ref>Rowland, pp. 209-214</ref>  There is also a palace area, with secular reliefs, that are very rare from such an early date, and show Roman influence.<ref>Rowland, 212</ref> 

The modern name is after [[Nagarjuna]], a southern Indian master of [[Mahayana Buddhism]] who lived in the 2nd century, who was once believed, probably wrongly, to have been responsible for the development of the site. The original name, used when the site was most active, was "Vijayapuri".  

This Nāgārjunakoṇḍa (sometimes Nāgārjun'''i'''koṇḍa) site in Andhra Pradesh is not to be confused with the Nāgārjuna (or Nāgārjuni) caves near the [[Barabar Caves]] in Bihar.

==History==
Coins issued by the later [[Satavahana]] kings (including [[Gautamiputra Satakarni]], [[Vasishthiputra Pulumavi|Pulumavi]], and [[Yajna Sri Satakarni|Yajna Satakarni]]) have been discovered at Nagarjunakonda.((sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|pp=2-3)) An inscription of Gautamiputra Vijaya Satakarni, dated to his 6th regnal year, has also been discovered at the site, and proves that Buddhism had spread in the region by this time.((sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=3))
[[File:Nationalmuseum Neu-Delhi 2017-12-27x.jpg|thumb|Relief with the ''Birth of Buddha'', 3rd-century.]]

The site rose to prominence after the decline of the Satavahanas, in the first quarter of the 3rd century, when the [[Andhra Ikshvaku|Ikshvaku]] king Vashishthiputra Chamamula established his capital Vijayapuri here. The coins and inscriptions discovered at Nagarjunakonda name four kings of the Ikshavaku dynasty: Vashishthi-putra Chamtamula, Mathari-putra Vira-purusha-datta, Vashishthi-putra Ehuvala Chamtamula, and Vashishthi-putra Rudra-purusha-datta. An inscription dated to the 30th regnal year of the [[Abhira dynasty|Abhira]] king [[Abhira dynasty#List of rulers|Vashishthi-putra Vasusena]] has also been discovered at the ruined Ashtab-huja-svamin temple.((sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=3)) This has led to speculation that the Abhiras, who ruled the region around [[Nashik]], invaded and occupied the Ikshavaku kingdom. However, this cannot be said with certainty.((sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=4))

The Ikshavaku kings constructed several  temples dedicated to the deities such as Sarva-deva, Pushpabhadra, [[Karttikeya]], and [[Shiva]]. Their queens, as well as Buddhist [[Upāsaka and Upāsikā|upasikas]] such as Bodhishri and Chandrashri, constructed several Buddhist monuments at the site.((sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=10)) It is believed that Sadvaha authorised the first monastic construction at Nagarjunakonda. During the early centuries, the site housed more than 30 Buddhist [[vihara]]s; excavations have yielded art works and inscriptions of great significance for the scholarly study of the history of this early period.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/india/nkonda/nk01.html|title=Ancient India|website=www.art-and-archaeology.com|access-date=3 March 2019))</ref>

The last extant Ikshavaku inscription is dated to the 11th year (c. 309 CE) of Rudra-purusha: the subsequent fate of the dynasty is not known, but it is possible that the [[Pallavas]] conquered their territory by the 4th century.((sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|pp=8-9)) The site declined after the fall of the Ikshavaku power. Some brick shrines were constructed in the Krishna River valley between 7th and 12th centuries, when the region was controlled by the [[Chalukyas of Vengi]]. Later, the site formed the part of the [[Kakatiya]] kingdom and the [[Delhi Sultanate]]. During the 15th and the 16th centuries, Nagarjunakonda once again became an important site. The contemporary texts and inscriptions allude to a hill fortress at Nagarjunakonda, which was probably built by the [[Reddy dynasty|Reddi rulers]] as a frontier fortress protecting their main fort of [[Kondaveedu Fort|Kondaveedu]]. It later appears to have come under the control of the [[Gajapati Kingdom|Gajapatis]]: a 1491 CE inscription dated to the reign of the Gajapati king [[Purushottama Deva|Purushottama]] indicates that the Nagarjunakonda fortress was controlled by his subordinate Sriratharaja Shingarayya Mahapatra. In 1515, the [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara]] king [[Krishnadevaraya]] stormed the fortress during his invasion of the Gajapati kingdom.((sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=9))

The region was later ruled by the [[Qutb Shahi dynasty]] and the [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]]. It was subsequently granted as an [[agrahara]] to the pontiff of the [[Pushpagiri Temple Complex|Pushpagiri Math]].((sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=3))

===Archaeological research===
[[File:Division of Buddha Relics - Limestone - Circa 3rd-4th Century AD - Nagarjunakonda - Archaeological Museum - Nagarjunakonda - Andhra Pradesh - Indian Buddhist Art - Exhibition - Indian Museum - Kolkata 2012-12-21 2355.JPG|thumb|Division of Buddha's Relics, 3rd-4th century]]
In 1926, a local schoolteacher, Suraparaju Venkataramaih, saw an ancient pillar at the site, and reported his discovery to the [[Madras Presidency]] government. Subsequently, Shri Sarasvati, the [[Telugu language]] Assistant to the Archaeological Superintendent for Epigraphy of Madras, visited the site, and it was recognized as a potential archaeological site.((sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=2))

The first discoveries were made in 1926 by French archaeologist [[Gabriel Jouveau-Dubreuil]] (1885–1945).<ref name="RAS"/> Systematic digging was organized by English archaeologists under [[A. H. Longhurst]] during 1927–1931. The team excavated the ruins of several Buddhist stupas and chaityas, as well as other monuments and sculptures.<ref name="RAS">''The Buddhist Antiquities of Nagarjunakonda, Madras Presidency'' by A. H. Longhurst. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Volume 72, Issue 2–3 June 1940 , pp. 226–227 [https://doi.org/10.1017/S0035869X00096921]</ref>((sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=2))

In 1938, T N Ramachandran led another excavation at the site, resulting in the discovery of some more monuments. In 1954, when the construction of the proposed [[Nagarjuna Sagar Dam]] threatened the site with submergence, a large-scale excavation led by R Subrahmanyam was started to salvage the archaeological material. The excavation, conducted during 1954-1960, resulted in the discovery of a number of relics, dating from the [[Early Stone Age]] to the 16th century. Later, around 14 large replicas of the excavated ruins and a museum were established on the Nagarjunakonda hill. Some of the sculptures excavated at Nagarjunakonda are now at other museums in Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Paris and New York.((sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=2))

An archaeological catastrophe struck in 1960, when an irrigation dam was constructed across the nearby [[Krishna River]], submerging the original site under the waters of a reservoir. In advance of the flooding, several monuments were dug up and relocated to the top of Nagarjuna's Hill, where a museum was built in 1966 Other monuments were relocated to the mainland, east of the flooded area. Dedicated archaeologists managed to recover almost all of the relics.

[[File:Panaromic view of the buddha statue and other monuments.jpg|thumb|center|900px|Panoramic view of the Buddha statue and other monuments]]

=== Excavated ruins ===

==== Buddhist ruins ====
[[File:Nagarjunakonda Dionysus Palace site.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Relief of [[Dionysus]], Nagarjunakonda Palace site. He has a light beard, is semi-nude and carries a drinking horn. There is a barrel of wine next to him.<ref name=MLV>((cite book |last1=Varadpande |first1=M. L. |title=Ancient Indian And Indo-Greek Theatre |date=1981 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=9788170171478 |pages=91–93 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JYuJWxLv-U0C&pg=PA91 |language=en))</ref><ref>((cite journal |last1=Carter |first1=Martha L. |title=Dionysiac Aspects of Kushān Art |journal=Ars Orientalis |date=1968 |volume=7 |pages=121–146, Fig. 15 |issn=0571-1371|jstor=4629244 ))</ref>]]
Archaeological inscriptions at the site show that the [[Andhra Ikshvaku]] kings Virapurusadatta, Ehuvula and family members patronized Buddhism. The inscriptions also show state-sponsorship of construction of temples and monasteries, through the funding of the Ikshvaku queens. Camtisiri in particular, is recorded as having funded the building of the main stupa for ten consecutive years. The support also spread beyond the noble classes, many non-royal names being inscribed in the relics. At its peak, there were more than thirty monasteries and it was the largest Buddhist centre in [[South India]]. Inscriptions showed that there were monasteries belonging to the [[Bahusrutiya|Bahuśrutīya]] and [[Aparamahavinaseliya]] sub-schools of the [[Mahāsāṃghika]], the [[Mahisasaka]], and the [[Mahaviharavasin]], from [[Buddhism in Sri Lanka|Sri Lanka]]. The architecture of the area reflects that of these traditions. There were other monasteries for Buddhist scholars originating from the [[Ancient Tamil country|Tamil]] kingdoms, [[Orissa, India|Orissa]], [[Kalinga (historical kingdom)|Kalinga]], [[Gandhara]], [[Bengal]], [[Ceylon]] (the Culadhammagiri) and [[China]]. There is also a footprint at the site of the Mahaviharavasin monastery, which is believed to be a reproduction of that of [[Gautama Buddha]].((Citations needed|date=December 2023))

The great stupa at Nagarjunakonda belongs to the class of uncased stupas, its brickwork being plastered over and the stupa decorated by a large garland-ornament.<ref name="AHL_1938"/> The original stupa was renovated by the Ikshvaku princess Chamtisiri in the 3rd century, when ayaka-pillars of stone were erected. The outer railing, if any, was of wood, its uprights erected over a brick plinth. The stupa, 32.3 m in diameter, rose to a height of 18 m with a 4 m wide circumambulatory. The medhi stood 1.5 m and the ayaka-platforms were rectangular offsets measuring 6.7 by 1.5 m.<ref>[http://www.visitlordbuddha.com/cities/nagarjunakonda.htm Visit Lord Budha – Nagarjunakonda<!-- Bot generated title -->] ((webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060104025215/http://www.visitlordbuddha.com/cities/nagarjunakonda.htm |date=4 January 2006 ))</ref>

The style of the [[relief]]s recovered is "all but indistinguishable" from those of the final phase of the [[Amaravati Stupa]] not very far away, from the second quarter of the third century, slightly earlier than Nagarjunakonda.  Though "lively and interesting", they show "a great decline since the mature phase at Amaravarti", with less complex groupings, various mannerisms in the figures, and a flatness to the surfaces.<ref>Harle, 38</ref>

==== Hindu ruins ====
Most of the Hindu ruins at Nagarjunakonda can be identified as [[Shaivism|Shaivite]], wherever an identification is possible. One of the temples has an inscription naming the god as "Mahadeva Pushpabhadraswami" (Shiva). Stone images of [[Kartikeya]] (Murugan) were found at two other shrines. An inscription found at another excavated shrine refers to yet another Shiva shrine. At least one temple, attested by a 278&nbsp;CE inscription, can be identified as [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavite]], based on the image of an eight-armed god. A large sculpture of [[Shaktism|Devi]] has also been discovered at the site.<ref name="TRB_1993"/>

====Greco-Roman artifacts====
[[File:Nagarjunakonda Roman aurei.jpg|thumb|Roman [[aurei]] found in Nagarjunakonda]]
((see also|Indo-Roman trade relations))
Various remains suggesting Greco-Roman influence can be found at Nagajurnakonda.<ref name=MLV/> Roman coins were found, in particular Roman [[Aurei]], one of [[Tiberius]] (16-37 CE), and the other of [[Faustina the Elder]] (141 CE), as well as a coin of [[Antoninus Pius]].<ref>((cite book |last1=Turner |first1=Paula J. |title=Roman Coins from India |date=2016 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781315420684 |page=12 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0bVmDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT20 |language=en))</ref><ref name=MLV/> These finds seem to attest to [[Indo-Roman trade relations|trade relations with the Roman world]].<ref>((cite book |last1=Dutt |first1=Sukumar |title=Buddhist Monks and Monasteries of India: Their History and Their Contribution to Indian Culture |date=1988 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=9788120804982 |page=132 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lxRHYFd0fB4C&pg=PA132 |language=en))</ref> A relief representing [[Dionysus]] was also found in the Nagarjunakonda Palace site. He has a light beard, is semi-nude and carries a drinking horn, and there is a barrel of wine next to him.<ref name=MLV/>

;Scythian influence
((multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=300|caption_align=center
| align    = right
| direction =horizontal
| header=Scythian warriors
| image1   = Nagarjunakonda Scythian soldier Palace site.jpg
| image2   = Nagarjunakonda Scythian warrior, 2nd century CE.jpg
| footer="[[Indo-Scythian|Scythian]]" soldiers, Nagarjunakonda Palace site, 2nd century CE.<ref name=CS/><ref name=AR/><ref>((cite web |title=National Portal and Digital Repository: Record Details |url=http://museumsofindia.gov.in/repository/record/nat_del-50-23-25222 |website=museumsofindia.gov.in |language=en))</ref>
))
[[Indo-Scythian]]s also appear, with reliefs of Scythian soldiers wearing caps and coats.<ref name=CS>"In Nagarjunakonda Scythian influence is noticed and the cap and coat of a soldier on a pillar may be cited as an example.", in ((cite book |last1=Sivaramamurti |first1=C. |title=Indian Sculpture |date=1961 |publisher=Allied Publishers |page=51 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HL81AAAAMAAJ |language=en))</ref><ref name=AR>"A Scythian dvarapala standing wearing his typical draperies, boots and head dress. Distinct ethnic and sartorial characteristics are noteworthy.", in ((cite book |last1=Ray |first1=Amita |title=Life and Art of Early Andhradesa |date=1982 |publisher=Agam |page=249 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uQXqAAAAMAAJ |language=en))</ref> According to an inscription in Nagarjunakonda, a garrison of Scythian guards employed by the [[Andhra Ikshvaku|Iksvakus]] Kings may also have been stationed there.<ref>"The Iksvakus Kings employed Scythian soldiers as their palace guards, and also an inscription hints that a colony of Scythians existed at Nagarjunakonda.", in ((cite book |title=The Journal of the Institution of Surveyors (India). |date=1967 |publisher=Institution of Surveyors |page=374 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7lIEAQAAIAAJ |language=en))</ref>

==Inscriptions==
[[File:Holy relic sites map of Andhra Pradesh.jpg|thumb|250px|Holy relic sites map of Andhra Pradesh]]
The Nagarjunakonda inscriptions are a series of epigraphical inscriptions found in the area of Nagarjunakonda. The inscriptions are associated with the blossoming of Buddhist structures and the rule of the [[Andhra Ikshvaku|Ikshvaku]], in the period covering approximately 210-325 CE.<ref name=US>((cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Upinder |title=The Idea of Ancient India: Essays on Religion, Politics, and Archaeology |date=2016 |publisher=SAGE Publications India |isbn=9789351506478 |pages=45–55 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KIWTCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA45 |language=en))</ref>
[[File:Nagarjunakonda Ayaka pillar inscription of the time of Vira-Purushadatta.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|left|Nagarjunakonda Ayaka pillar inscription of the time of [[Andhra Ikshvaku|Ikshvaku]] ruler Vira-Purushadatta (250-275 CE)]]
The Nagarjunakonda inscriptions tends to stress the cosmopolitan nature of Buddhist activities there, explained that a variety of Buddhist monks came from various lands.<ref name=US/> An inscription in a monastery (Site No.38) describes its residents as [[acarya]]s and [[thera|theriya]]s of the [[Vibhajyavada]] school, "who had gladdened the heart of the people of [[Kashmir|Kasmira]], [[Gandhara|Gamdhara]], [[Yavana]], [[North Kanara|Vanavasa]]<ref>((cite book |last1=Longhurst |first1=A. H. |title=The Great Stupa at Nagarjunakonda in Southern India. |date=1932 |publisher=The Indian Antiquary |page=186 |url=http://buddhism.lib.ntu.edu.tw/FULLTEXT/JR-ENG/long.htm))</ref> and [[Sri Lanka|Tambapamnidipa]]".<ref name=US/> The inscriptions suggest the involvement of these various people with Buddhism.<ref>((cite book |last1=Tiwari |first1=Shiv Kumar |title=Tribal Roots of Hinduism |date=2002 |publisher=Sarup & Sons |isbn=9788176252997 |page=311 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n0gwfmPFTLgC&pg=PA311 |language=en))</ref>

The inscriptions are either in [[Prakrit]], in [[Sanskrit]], or a mix of both, and are all in the [[Brahmi script]].<ref name=US/> The Nagarjunakonda inscriptions are the earliest substantial South Indian Sanskrit inscriptions, probably from the late 3rd-century to early 4th-century CE. These inscriptions are related to Buddhism and to the [[Shaivism]] tradition of Hinduism, and parts of them reflect both standard Sanskrit and hybridized Sanskrit.((sfn|Salomon|1998|pp=90-91))

The spread of the usage of Sanskrit inscriptions to the south can probably be attributed to the influence of the [[Western Satraps]] who promoted the usage of Sanskrit in epigraphy, and who were in close relation with southern Indian rulers: according to Salomon "a Nagarjunakonda memorial pillar inscription of the time of King [[Rudrapurusadatta]] attests to a marital alliance between the Western Ksatrapas and the [[Andhra Ikshvaku|Iksvaku]] rulers of Nagarjunakonda".((sfn|Salomon|1998|pp=93-94))<ref>((cite book |last1=Majumdar |first1=Ramesh Chandra |title=Vakataka - Gupta Age Circa 200-550 A.D. |date=1986 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=9788120800267 |page=66 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OswUZtL1_CUC&pg=PA66 |language=en))</ref> According to one of the inscriptions, Iksvaku king Virapurushadatta (250-275 CE) had multiple wives,((sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=5)) including Rudradhara-bhattarika, the daughter of the ruler of [[Ujjain]] (''Uj(e)nika mahara(ja) balika''), possibly the [[Indo-Scythian]] [[Western Kshatrapa]] king [[Rudrasena II (Western Satrap)|Rudrasena II]].((sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=6))<ref>"Another queen of Virapurusha was Rudradhara-bhattarika. According to D.C. Sircar she might have been related to Rudrasena II (c. a.d. 254-74) the Saka ruler of Western India" in ((cite book |last1=Rao |first1=P. Raghunadha |title=Ancient and medieval history of Andhra Pradesh |date=1993 |publisher=Sterling Publishers |isbn=9788120714953 |page=23 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wENuAAAAMAAJ |language=en))</ref><ref>((cite book |last1=(India) |first1=Madhya Pradesh |title=Madhya Pradesh District Gazetteers: Ujjain |date=1982 |publisher=Government Central Press |page=26 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lo5hAAAAIAAJ |language=en))</ref>

== Etymology ==
The modern name of the site originates from its presumptive association with the Buddhist scholar [[Nagarjuna]] (''konda'' is the [[Telugu language|Telugu]] word for "hill"). However, the archaeological finds at the site do not prove that it was associated with Nagarjuna. The 3rd–4th-century inscriptions discovered there make it clear that it was known as "Vijayapuri" in the ancient period: the name "Nagarjunakonda" dates from the medieval period. The [[Andhra Ikshavaku|Ikshavaku]] inscriptions invariably associate their capital Vijayapuri with the Sriparvata hill, mentioning it as ''Siriparvate Vijayapure''.((sfn|K. Krishna Murthy|1977|p=1))

[[Faxian|Fa-Hien]], in his travelogue ''A Record of Buddhist Kingdoms,'' mentions a five storey monastery on top of the hill, dedicated to [[Kassapa Buddha]]. He describes each storey as being in the shape of a different animal, with the uppermost being in the shape of a pigeon.<ref>((Cite book|last=Legge|first=James|url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.49546|title=Travels of Fa-Hien|date=1971))</ref> Fa-Hien refers to the monastery as ''Po-lo-yue''; which has been interpreted to mean ''Pārāvata'', meaning "pigeon" (hence the name "Pigeon Monastery"), or ''Parvata'', meaning "hill" in [[Sanskrit]] (although the latter is considered to be the correct name).<ref>((Cite book|last=Barua|first=Dipak Kumar|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.533799|title=Viharas In Ancient India|date=1969))</ref>

When [[Hiuen-Tsang]] travelled to [[Andhradesa]] c. 640 CE,<ref>((Cite news|date=2016-11-03|title=Xuan Zang stayed in Vijayawada to study Buddhist scriptures|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Xuan-Zang-stayed-in-Vijayawada-to-study-Buddhist-scriptures/article16091816.ece|access-date=2021-05-03|issn=0971-751X))</ref> he also visited this place. He has referred to ''Parvata'' as ''Po-lo-mo-lo-ki-li'' <ref>((Cite book|last=Subrahmaniam|first=K.R.|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.55404|title=Journal Of The Andhra Historical Research Society,vol.10,pt.1 To 4|date=1937|pages=100–101))</ref> or "Mountain of the Black Bee" in his book ''[[Great Tang Records on the Western Regions]]'';  as it was then known as Bhramaragiri<ref>((Cite book|last=Samuel Beal|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.80415|title=Life Of Hiuen Tsiang By The Shaman Hwui Li|date=1911))</ref> (''bhramara'' means "bee", ''giri'' means "hill" or "mountain" in Sanskrit), because it had a shrine of [[Bhramari|Bharmaramba]] (a form of goddess [[Durga]]).<ref>((Cite journal|last=Beal|first=S.|date=1887|title=Some Remarks on the Narrative of Fâ-hien|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25208860|journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland|volume=19|issue=2|pages=191–206|doi=10.1017/S0035869X00019389|jstor=25208860|s2cid=162362496 |issn=0035-869X))</ref> However, many scholars believe that ''Po-lo-mo-lo-ki-li'' was actually Parimalagiri alias Gandhagiri ([[Gandhamardhan hills|Gandhamardan hills]]) in Odisha.<ref>((Cite book|last=Donaldson|first=Thomas E.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DbxE8zOuRbUC&dq=po+lo+mo+lo+ki+li&pg=PA86|title=Iconography of the Buddhist Sculpture of Orissa: Text|date=2001|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-406-6|language=en))</ref>

== Nagarjunasagar Dam ==
[[File:This picture taken by me on 17th Feb 2013. Place Nagarjunakonda.jpg|thumb|right|Megalith Age Burial Area 2nd century]]
((main|Nagarjuna Sagar Dam))

The Nagarjunasagar Dam is the tallest masonry dam in the world, constructed between 1955 and 1967. The excavated remains of the Buddhist civilisation were reconstructed and preserved at a museum on the island situated in the midst of the man-made Nagarjunasagar Lake The site has a 14th-century fort, medieval temples and a museum constructed like a Buddhist [[vihara]]. The museum houses a collection of relics of Buddhist culture and art These include a small tooth and an ear-ring believed to be that of [[Gautama Buddha]]. The main stupa of Nagarjunakonda named Mahachaitya is believed to contain the sacred relics of the Buddha. A partly ruined monolithic statue of the Buddha is the main attraction at the museum. It also houses historic finds in the form of tools from Paleolithic and Neolithic times, as well as friezes, coins and jewellery.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.jetairtours.com/hyd.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514062856/http://www.jetairtours.com/hyd.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 May 2009|title=city information of hyderabad, nagarjunasagar, nagarjunakonda, warangal, medak|date=14 May 2009|access-date=3 March 2019))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://www.tourismofindia.com/hibuddh/buddh_excursions.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221025541/http://www.tourismofindia.com/hibuddh/buddh_excursions.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 December 2007|title=Tourism of India - Buddha - Excursion|date=21 December 2007|access-date=3 March 2019))</ref>

== Tourism ==
Located in the [[Guntur district]], Nagarjunakonda Island is not directly accessible on the State Highway.
The nearest train station is at [[Macherla]], 29&nbsp;km away. 
The island is mainly connected by a [[ferry]] to the mainland.
The area is also known for panoramic views of the valley from a viewing area near the dam, and is also the site of the [[Ethipothala Falls]], a natural waterfall that cascades down 22 m into a blue lagoon that is also a breeding centre for [[crocodile]]s. 
The nearby [[Srisailam]] wildlife sanctuary and the [[Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve]] are refuge for diverse reptiles, birds and animals. 
Srisailam, which sits on the shore of Krishna in the [[Nallamala Hills]] is a site of immense historical and religious significance, including a [[Shiva]] temple that is one of the 12 sacred [[Jyotirlinga]]s.

== References ==
((reflist))

=== Bibliography ===
* Harle, J.C., ''The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent'', 2nd edn. 1994, Yale University Press Pelican History of Art, ((ISBN|0300062176)) 
* ((cite book |author=K. Krishna Murthy |title=Nāgārjunakoṇḍā: A Cultural Study |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4gBSWyLTSzkC&pg=PA1 |year=1977 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |oclc=4541213 ))
* ((cite book | last = Archaeological Survey of India | year = 1987 | title = Nagarjunakonda))
*Rowland, Benjamin, ''The Art and Architecture of India: Buddhist, Hindu, Jain'', pp. 209-214, 1967 (3rd edn.), Pelican History of Art, Penguin, ((ISBN|0140561021))
* ((Cite book | last=Salomon | first=Richard | title=Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the Other Indo-Aryan Languages | publisher=Oxford University Press | place=Oxford | year=1998 | isbn=0-19-509984-2))

== External links ==
((commons category|Nagarjunakonda))
* [http://www.indiamonuments.org/Andhra%20Pradesh/Upload%20AP%2001/Andhra%20Pradesh%2001.htm  Photographs of Nagarjunakonda and related sites]

((Ancient Dharmic centres of Higher Learning))

[[Category:Archaeological sites in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Buddhist universities and colleges]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Guntur district]]
[[Category:Stupas in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Guntur district]]
[[Category:Underwater ruins]]
[[Category:Buddhist archaeological sites]]
[[Category:Buddhist sites in India]]
[[Category:Ancient Indian cities]]
[[Category:Hindu holy cities]]
[[Category:Former capital cities in India]]

Pages transcluded onto the current version of this page (help):

Nagarjunakonda (edit)
Template:Ambox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Ancient Dharmic centres of Higher Learning (edit)
Template:Ancient Dharmic centres of higher learning (edit)
Template:Both (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Catalog lookup link (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Template:Citation needed (view source) (protected)
Template:Citations needed (view source) (semi-protected)
Template:Cite book (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite journal (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite news (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite web (view source) (protected)
Template:Commons category (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Coord (view source) (protected)
Template:DMCA (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Dated maintenance category (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Dated maintenance category (articles) (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Delink (view source) (protected)
Template:FULLROOTPAGENAME (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Find sources mainspace (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Fix (view source) (protected)
Template:Fix/category (view source) (protected)
Template:Has short description (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Hlist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:ISBN (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:If empty (view source) (protected)
Template:Infobox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Infobox designation list (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Infobox historic site (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Location map (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Main (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Main other (view source) (protected)
Template:More citations needed (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Multiple image (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Multiple image/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Navbox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Ns has subpages (view source) (protected)
Template:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Template:Plainlist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Reflist (view source) (protected)
Template:Reflist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Replace (view source) (protected)
Template:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Template:See also (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Sfn (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Short description (view source) (protected)
Template:Short description/lowercasecheck (view source) (protected)
Template:Side box (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Sister project (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Template other (view source) (protected)
Template:Use Indian English (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Use dmy dates (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Webarchive (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Yesno (view source) (protected)
Template:Yesno-no (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Yesno-yes (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Arguments (view source) (protected)
Module:Catalog lookup link (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/blacklist (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/shared (view source) (protected)
Module:Check for unknown parameters (view source) (protected)
Module:Check isxn (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Citation/CS1 (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/COinS (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Date validation (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Identifiers (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Whitelist (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Coordinates (view source) (protected)
Module:Coordinates/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Delink (view source) (protected)
Module:Disambiguation/templates (view source) (protected)
Module:Find sources (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/config (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/links (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/templates/Find sources mainspace (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Footnotes (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Footnotes/anchor id list (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Footnotes/anchor id list/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Footnotes/whitelist (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Format link (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:GetParameters (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote list (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:If empty (view source) (protected)
Module:Infobox (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Infobox/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:InfoboxImage (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Infobox mapframe (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Labelled list hatnote (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Location map (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Location map/data/India (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Location map/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Mapframe (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Math (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/ambox.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Multiple image (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Namespace detect/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbox (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox/configuration (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Navbox/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Ns has subpages (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/disambiguation (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/setindex (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/softredirect (view source) (protected)
Module:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Module:Side box (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Side box/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:String (view source) (protected)
Module:String2 (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Unsubst (view source) (protected)
Module:Webarchive (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Webarchive/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:WikidataIB (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:WikidataIB/nolinks (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:WikidataIB/titleformats (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Wikitext Parsing (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Yesno (view source) (protected)

Return to Nagarjunakonda.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagarjunakonda"