AP government neglects the Island museum in Nagarjunakona
Nagarjunakona surrounded by Krishna river is the only island museum.
GUNTUR: The world’s second island museum in AP is crying for attention. The only archeological island museum in India in Nagarjunakonda, which once flourished as the capital of Ikshvaku dynasty, is denied of development despite having natural scenic beauty. Nagarjunakonda, situated 160 km distance from the new capital Amaravati was the birthplace of Mahayana Buddhism preached by Acharya Nagarjuna. There are two island museums in the world of which the first island museum is Museumsi-nsel situated in Berlin and second one is Nagarjunakonda. But the government is failing to make good use of the same. People have to face many difficulties to reach Nagarjunakonda due to absence of basic amenities. Every year, International Museum Day is observed on May 18 only for namesake and public are demanding development of the only island museum at Nagarjunakonda into a good tourist attraction centre.
During the construction of Nagarjunasagar dam, Buddhist relics and monuments were found. The government preserved them in the museum on the nearby hill spread in 144 acres which is surrounded by Krishna river. The people can reach Nagarjunakonda island museum through boats from Vijayapuri South at the Sagar dam. The key gallery is known for the masterpieces of Ikshvaku art and architecture in the form of all-pervading serene Buddha, well sculptured ayaka-slabs, the cross beams of ayaka platforms capturing all finesse the episodes of the life of the enlightened one punctuated with joyous mithunas and elegant tree nymphs, etc.
A separate section with show-cases all along the wall highlights the development of human civilisation in the region from Stone Age to the Megalithic period through excavated artifacts and adequate illustrations. Representative minor antiquities like terracotta and stucco figurines, seals and coins form part of the display. Tourists Md Ishtiyak and others who came to Nagarjunakonda during the summer holidays said that they were astonished to see the wonderful monuments and the ancient capital which is a pride to the country. They lamented the absence of basic amenities including boarding/lodging facility. They sought developing Nagarjunakonda into an international tourism centre to celebrate International Museum Day every year.