Archaeological Museum in Andhra Pradesh

Archaeological Museum. Kondapur (Andhra Pradesh)
The site Museum at Kondapur (Late.17.33' N 78.1'E) is located on a small hillock about one km south of the village of Kondapur in Medak District, Andhra Pradesh. The exhibits from this museums are basically retrieved from an ancient mound locally known as Kotagadda (Fort Mound) located at a distance of one km east of the museum.The site was first explored by the famous Archaeologist Mr. Henry Cousens in the early years of the 19th Century. Subsequently the Department of Archaeology of the erstwhile Hyderabad State under H.E.H. the Nizam of Hyderabad excavated this mound for a couple of seasons from 1940. A small museum was established with the excavated material over the ancient site itself which was later shifted to the present building. The museum came under the administrative control of Archaeological Survey of India in 1952.The Archaeological Museum, Kondapur houses a rich collection of minor antiquities unearthed from the digs of 1940-1942. The museum has a Central hall and two more galleries in enclosed corridors.In the main hall a good number of antiquities are displayed in wall showcases representing different facets of material culture of the early historic period such as pottery, terracotta figurines, bone and shell objects, metal objects, talismans, pendants, beads, inscribed pottery and coins etc. brick tiles, sharpening stones, moulded bricks and designed panels.In the other galleries, prehistoric tools and fossils are exhibited. Apart from these objects, a couple of sculptures, a Buddhapada, a standing image of four handed Vishnu carved on a door jamb and two inscribed storage jars are other attractive pieces in this gallery.
Entrance Fee Rs.2/- for visitors above 15 years. Museum Hours 1000 A.M. to 0500 p.m.
Free entrance to children below 15 years. Museum remain closed on Friday.

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Archaeological Museum, Amaravati(District Guntur, Andhra Pradesh)

Amaravati (Lat. 160 34’ N, Long. 800 17’E) is situated on the right bank of the river Krishna at a distance of 35 km north of the railway station of Guntur town. It is also a center of pilgrimage, known as Amareswaram.The Amaravati school of art occupies a pre-eminent position in the history of Indian Art. With its beginning in 3rd century BC the Amaravati unfolds its chapters through the galaxy of sculptural wealth that once adorned the Mahachaitya the majestic monument of the Buddhists situated here with its history extending over a period of a millennium and a half.In the key gallery selected examples of the art traditions of Amaravati are displayed. The lotus and the purnakumbha motifs are typical of Amaravati Art expressing auspiciousness and abundance. The two drum slabs depicting the Stupas, in bas relief give a fair idea of the structure. Buddha in these panels during the early period is represented symbolically in the form of ‘Svastika’ mark on a cushioned seat over a throne (Vajrasana) under the Bodhi tree in one case and a Flaming pillar (agni skanda) in another case. Over the dome are depicted the Jatakas in low relief. The standing Buddha secured from Gummadidurru is datable to eight century AD.In second gallery one can find the life size standing image of Buddha in super human form with marks of great man (Maha Purusha Lakshana). The round panel over a cross bar depicting the episode of Rahula’s presentation to the Buddha by his father king Suddhodana is another unique piece in narration, composition and carving. Besides a few drum slabs and dome slabs depicting the worship of Stupa, Triratna, animal rows and minor antiquities like coins and beads are interesting.The exhibits in third gallery comprises a few sculptures of 2nd cent. BC including an Yakshi of Bharhut tradition, a stele with labeled panels, and a fragmentary pillar edict of Asoka. Images of Buddha from Alluru, Dharma Chakra from Lingaraja Palli, Bodhistvas, a dome slab depicting the jeweles of the Buddhist order viz. The Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha in a panel represented by a Bodhi Tree, Dharma Chakra and the Stupa worshiped by the devotees are noteworthy. The couple in round in the central showcase is a masterpiece of Amaravati Art, with full of vigour and vitality, of the Satavahana period.The full size ornate bull (nandisvara) of the Satavahana period in round is an attractive piece of art picked up from the local Amaresvara temple. The garland and bearers of a copingstone, the images of Vajrayana period, and a Jaina Tirthankara of medieval times are quite interesting in this gallery.In the courtyard, part from the model of Stupa and a part of reconstructed railing, Gautama Sddhartha’s departure from his palace. Return of the horse Kanthaka, episode of Nalagiri the royal elephant of Ajaatasatru, worship of Buddha (feet) by the lady devotees, Jataka panels of Mandhata, Chaddhanta, Vessantara and Losaka are a few attractive panels here. Earlier forms of Ganesa and Ganesani among the Yakshaganas carrying the garland. Lakshmi in earlier period and the panel showing division of the relics of Lord Buddha by the disputing princes on the coping of the railing, are a few notable pieces of art.Opening Hours : 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. Closed on – FridayEntrance Fee : Rs. 2/- per head. (Children up to 15 years free)
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Archaeological Museum, Nagarjunakonda(District Guntur, Andhra Pradesh)

Nagarjunakonda (Lat. 16° 31' N, Long.79° 14' E) is situated in Macherla Mandal of the District Guntur. The nearest railway station is Macherla, at a distance of 24 km. The museum is situated on an island in the Nagarjunasagar dam. To reach the Island there is a jetty point at Vijayapuri, south of the Nagarjunasagar dam.Nagarjunakonda, meaning the hill of Nagarjuna, was named after the Buddhist scholar and savant Acharya Nagarjuna. It was a great religious center promoting Brahmanical and Buddhist faiths, molding the early phases of art and architecture affiliated with them. It was an extensive Buddhist establishment nourishing several sects of Buddhism that culminated into the full-fledged Mahayana pantheon. At present it is a unique island in India housing an archaeological museum and transplanted and reconstructed monuments of Nagarjunakonda valley datable to prehistoric to late medieval times endangered with the submergence under the Nagarjunasagar project.The museum established to collect, preserve and exhibit the antiquities retrieved from the excavations, is housed in a spacious structure simulating a Buddhist Vihara on plan. It is located amidst the remains of a medieval fortification, in the northern part of the island spanning about 2.5 km east-west and 1 km north-south. The museum presents precious artifacts of all cultural periods through which the valley and the region have passed. The objects displayed in five galleries include carved lime stone slabs, sculptures, inscriptions and other antiquities all assignable to 3rd-4th century AD constitute a majority of the exhibits.The key gallery is known for the master pieces of Ikshvaku art and architecture in the form of all pervading serene Buddha, well sculptured ayaka-slabs, the cross beams of ayaka-platforms capturing in 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 civilization 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.Two galleries located in a large hall, exhibit the decorated drum slabs, dome slabs, cornice beams and other architectural units of a stupa, a few Brahmanical sculptures besides a variety of earthen ware of the Ikshavaku and subsequent periods. The carved architectural units which once decorated the various stupas, capture the life of the Master from his birth to Mahaparinirvana passing through the events of great departure, meditation, enlightenment and preaching. The popular miracles he performed during his life time and the stories of the previous births known as Jatakas like Sasa-jataka, Champeya-jataka, Sibi-jataka, Mandhathu-jataka, etc. also form subjects of carvings. Attractive Brahmanical sculptures displayed here include Kartikeya and his consort Devasena, a Sivalinga, a unique representation of Sati and a few figures of Vidyadharas. Exquisitely carved mandapa pillars capturing joyous moods of children at play, war scenes and other secular themes, medallions showing elephants in majestic postures and an example of a drawing (hastalekha) on a slab are also exhibited. The ceramic repertoire from excavations form another aspect of display. Fashioned out of fine riverine clay and kaolin, these utilitarian household articles are wheel thrown, polished, designed, inscribed and speak of the technical and artistic excellence of the potters.Third gallery houses models of the submerged valley along with models of secular and religious edifices. On the floor of the hall is the model of the valley with its topographical environs locating over 120 excavated sites. In the wall show-cases all around, are models of important excavated sites and remains. These include Neolithic and Megalithic burials; stupas showing a variety of plan including the Mahastupa; viharas such as the Mahisasaka, Bahusrutiya and Kumaranandi-vihara; Brahmanical temples dedicated to Sarvadeva, Kartikeya, Pushpabhadrasvamin, Ashtabhujasvamin etc. and secular edifices like the amphitheatre (stadium), bathing ghat, etc.One of the galleries displays select specimens of the epigraphs, decorated architectural members and medieval sculptures. The inscriptions are written on pillars forming part of the structural complexes, sculptures, pedestals, memorial pillars and detached slabs. Mostly, the script is ornate Brahmi of 3rd-4th century AD. Majority of them are in Prakrit language and some are composed in Sanskrit. Among the exhibits the inscriptions of Vijaya Satakarni, the memorial pillar depicting king Vasishthiputra Chamtamula, ayaka pillar of Chamta Sri, the Buddhapada inscription and a Sanskrit inscription on a pillar invoking god Pushpabhadrasvamin are noteworthy. A Telugu inscription issued by king Purushottama of Orissa is also on display. The medieval sculptures on display include ornate Yoga-Narasimha, Mahishmardini, Durga, Siva and a Jaina Tirthankara seated in Yoga-posture, ranging in date from 14th-17th century AD.Opening Hours : 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. Closed on – FridayEntrance Fee : Rs. 2/- per head. (Children up to 15 years free).

For more information, visit: http://asi.nic.in/asi_museums.asp
For more information, Visit: http://asi.nic.in/asi_museums.asp
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Tirumalanath
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