Nelakondapalli

Nelakondapalli is a historic site encompassed by a mud fortification wall covering nearly one-hundred acres (approximately 0.40 km square kilometres). Excavations there have unearthed several foundations of brick-built viharas, wells, cisterns, a mahastupa,[1] terracotta figurines, a bronze idol of Buddha, a miniature stupa carved in limestone and other materials from the 3rd and 4th centuries.

Also of historical and, particularly, cultural significance are two archaeological sites located approximately one mile (1.6 km) from Nelakondapalli. According to local Hindu folk tradition, the sites referred to as Virataraju Dibba (also called as Virataraju Gadde which means king Virata's throne) and Keechaka Gundam were contemporaneous to certain events described in the Hindu epic Mahabharata relating to Pandava's Agnyathavasa and killing of Keechaka by Bheema. The discovery of archeological relics at the sites seems to corroborate the local Hindu folk account.

A few miles from Nelakondapalli is the village of Banapuram where the locals believe is the location where Pandava's hide their weapons in a Shami tree before the start of their Agnyathavasa. 'Bana' in Sanskrit means arrows and 'Puram' means a town.

This information plaque describes a Buddhist Stupa excavated by Archeological Survey of India. In Telugu language is a description of Virata Raju Dibba and a location Kichaka Gundam nearby that locals believe are related to events in Mahabharata.

There are several ancient temples in the village, including three consecrated for Shiva and two consecrated for Vaishnava, Shiva and Vaishnava being Hindu gods. The annual Hindu festival Dusshera (also referred to as Vijayadashami), celebrated throughout India, is observed in a unique way in Nelakondapalli. On that day, devotees will travel from many other villages to offer prayers and celebrate.

Sri Ramanavami is observed at the Bhaktaramadas Dhyana Mandiram ("Bhaktaramadas Meditation Center"), in collaboration with the Bhadrachalam Sri Rama temple as well as local villagers.

The Sri Bhaktha Ramadas Memorial Festival is celebrated every year between 28 April and 2 May.

One more attraction of this village culture from decades is the way on Karthika Maasa Sivarathti (Krishna Paksha Chaturdasi )is Known as "LakshaPatri Pooja" in Uttareswara Swamy Temple in a Divine way. SO many devotees from all Over India will be gathered to perform poojas to Lord Shiva on that day...

Nelakondapalli was the birthplace of Kancharla Gopanna, popularly known as Bhakta Ramadas. The Bhakta Ramadas Memorial Building, constructed in 1955 at the birthplace of Sri Bhaktha Ramadasu, was renamed as the Bhakta Ramadasu Dhyana Mandiram and entrusted to the Sri Seeteramachandra Swamy Devastanam in Bhadrachalam in 1983, for its continued development.

• Ushodaya Vidyalayam
• Vikas High School
• Goutham concept school
• Gouthami Junior college
• Vasundhara Vocational Junior College
• Govt Degree College, Nelakondapalli
• Sri Chaitanya Junior College

Nelakondapalli is featured in the Telugu movie Rajanna, the character "Rajanna" played by Nagarjuna hails from this place.[2]

• History of Nelakondapalli temples