interstate 17 Buses run from Vijayawada to Amaravathi every half-hour or so ( 24, two hours), but it may be quicke

ered in 1926 by archaeologist AR Saraswathi in the adjacent interstate 17 valley. In 1953, when it became known that a massive hydroelectric project would soon create the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir, flooding the area, a six-year excavation was launched to unearth the area s many Buddhist ruins: stupas, viharas (monasteries), chaitya-grihas (assembly halls with stupas) and mandapas (pillared pavilions), as well as some outstanding examples of white-marble depictions interstate 17 of the Buddha s life. The finds were reassembled on Nagarjunakonda.

Buses run from Vijayawada to Amaravathi every half-hour or so ( 24, two hours), interstate 17 but it may be quicker to head to Guntur ( 12, 45 minutes) and take another bus from there. The drive here will take you through some lovely lush scenery and memorable glimpses of village life.