Home :: Travel Guide :: Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh


Andhra Pradesh, India's fifth largest state, is sprawled over an area of 275,068 sq. km. History has forged, and left behind vital links with the state, as is evident from the many edifices, monuments and architectural ruins, the legacy of dynasties as old as 300 B.C. Traces of the diverse and variegated facets of the culture of the Mauryas, Pallavas, Cholas, Satavahanas, Chalukyas and Vijayanagar, offer imposing vistas, that continue to fascinate the observer.

Andhra Pradesh lives in its fertile coastal plains, semi arid Deccan plateau and the lofty hillscapes of the Eastern Ghats. Exquisite crafts, glorious remnants of the past, vibrant festivities, irresistible delicacies coupled with the charming features of the people, and the sonorant mother tongue Telugu leave behind indelible impressions.

Some of the incredible sights of Andhra Pradesh are the world's tallest masonry dam, million year old caves, South Asia's first lion safari and the world's richest temple.

The best place to begin a tour of Andhra Pradesh is Hyderabad, the capital. Hyderabad is very well - connected by air, rail and road to all major cities of India. The other major cities of the state are Secunderabad, Visakhapatnam, Waltair and Vijayawada. An efficient road and rail network connects every district to the state capital. Only Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada and Tirupati are airlinked.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Hyderabad: Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, along with its twin city Secunderabad has over 400 years of history. Hyderabad is a heady mixture of heritage, traditionally hospitality and a thriving software revolution. A revolution that has already attracted Microsoft to set its only overseas base here. The fifth largest city in India and has a population of over 2.2 million. Hyderabad is famous world over for its fabulous Diamond markets, glass embedded bangles and the delectable Hyderabadi cuisine. It has a Hindu - Muslim culture with a number of monuments of historical importance. Legend says that in 1589 Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutub Shahi dynasty founded a new city along the banks of river Musi for his ladylove, Bhagmati. The city was then called Bhagyanagar. Later when Bhagmati entered the royal family, she was honored with the title Hyder Mahal. And Bhagyanagar became Hyderabad. There are no forests in this district, and this district is the Smallest district in Andhra Pradesh and the densest one in the whole State.

India's First Cigarette Charminar was produced from Vazir Sultan Tobacco factory situated at Azamabad area, which has more than a Hundred years of manufacturing experience on this branded Cigarette. Apart from this Many Public Limited Companies like B.H.E.L, H.A.L, DRDO, MIDHANI, NFC, ECIL, CITD, HMT etc are placed in this District.

Nagarjuna Sagar: Nagarjunasagar, a massive irrigation project on the River Krishna, about 150 km from Hyderabad, has a rich and iteresting past. It was a valley in the Nallamala range of the Eastern Ghats with civilizations dating back to thousands of years. Recorded history, however, assigns the first signs to the later Satavahanas and subsequently the Ikshvakus in the third century. The Sriparvata and Vijayapuri of yore were really temples where the famous savant and Buddhist Philosopher Acharya Nagarjuna preached the message of the Buddha.To prevent submersion of the outstanding structures in the valley, a rare feat of reconstruction of the remains was taken up. Anupu, 4 km from the dam site, was chosen for relocation of a Buddhist University. As the area was threatened with submergence by the reservior, an Archaeological Survey team made determined efforts to virtually trasplant nine monuments from the valley onto Nagarjunakonda. The hill forms an Island in the middle of the reservoir. A museum at Nagarjunakonda contains, Buddhadatu or Buddhas relics excavated from the valley.

The largest wildlife sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh lies between Nagarjunasagar and upstream Srisailam. Spreadover 3,500 sq.km, it encompasses thickly wooded hills in five districts - Nalgonda, Kurnool, Mahboobnagar, Guntur and Prakasam.

Tirupati: The abode of the 'Kaliyuga' deity Lord Venkateswara, popularly known as Balaji, Tirupati has for centuries remained a destination divine and this feeling grows on one as one goes round the various temples and spots of natural beauty surrounding this major town. In fact, the government has proposed to give special status to the town on the lines of the Vatican. Lying at the southern tip of the Eastern ghats in Andhra Pradesh, the district has a number of perennial water falls and vast forest cover.

Vijaywada: Vijayawada is known as the political as well as publishing capital of andhra Pradesh. Vijayawada is a vital rail and road link between North and the South and is now known as 'the city that never sleeps'. A major business centre, it is the hub of commercial activity in the coastal area. The Prakasam barrage, the Kanakadurga temple, the St. Mary's church and the Moghalrajapuram caves are some of the attractions in the city, known for its cinema theatres and typically Andhra food. The number of canals criss-crossing the city gives it a Venetian look .

Visakhapatnam: The land of the golden beaches was just over half a century ao a small fishing village. One would be amazed at the manner in which this port city with a natural harbour developed into one of the fastest growing cities in Asia. Vast stretches of beaches right next to the city on one side and undulating green hills on the other have made Vizag, as it is endearingly called, a tourist haven. An ideal destination, it caters to the religiousminded, the Buddhist pilgrim, the fun-lovers and adventure-seekers. A number of beaches and a long stretch of road along the sea-shore up to Bheemunipatnam town, the second oldest municipality in the country, are a pleasure to experience. No trip to Vizag is complete without a sojourn at Araku, 110 km away, a lovely valley nestled amidst the high Eastern Ghats. Simhachalam temple, Rishikonda beach, the Dolphin's Nose hillock projecting into the sea enchantment unlimited - that is Visakhapatnam.

Warangal: The city was once the heartland of Telugu culture. The capital of the Kakatiya rulers. Warangal today contains some of the best forms of architecute, especially in temples. The 1000-pillar temple and the Ramappa temple in the district are glowing examples of the exquisite architecture patronized by the Kakatiyas. Warangal city today is part of a cluster of three towns - Warangal, Kazipet and Hanamkonda, the district headquarters.
Attraction in the city are Planetarium, Musical Garden, Rock garden, Archeological Museum, Samskriti Vihar. The district is also known ofr its picturesque lakes, hand-woven thick cotton fibre carpets, scroll painting done on cloth in earth colours mainly at Cheriyal nearby, and sheet-metal artistry at Pembarti.