ANDHRA PRADESH
Overview
Andhra Pradesh (AP) State is in South India with Bay of Bengal coastline to its east and borders five other states and to name them clockwise from the south Tamil (Thamil) Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. AP is the 7th largest state by area out of 28 states in the Indian Union and Visakhapatnam serves as its capital. The state has 605 miles of coastline, the second-longest coastline in India. The Eastern Ghats Mountain Range with its natural beauty runs through the middle of the state.
Andhra Pradesh exhibits an impressive array of culture and heritage against a colourful natural backdrop. There are many heritage sites, forts, magnificent ruins, and ancient temples representing the subcontinent’s glorious past.
The state has a rich cultural heritage, literature, architecture, folklore, music, painting, and many art forms that have been passed on for centuries if not millenniums.
Andhra cuisine combines a range of flavours, ingredients, and cooking techniques from its own rich gastronomic history as well as the neighbouring states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu and additionally from the Moghul cuisine as well. The cuisine depends on which part of Andhra Pradesh you are in to appreciate the cuisine but overall, the strong influence is from the south after all the state is a southern state anyway.
Places to visit in Andhra Pradesh
VISAKHAPATNAM
Visakhapatnam, often called “Vizag” is a bustling coastal city with a rich history that dates to the 6th century BCE and has evolved into a vibrant metropolis and an important economic hub in the region. This fascinating city is known for its picturesque beaches, including Ramakrishna, Yarada, Kalingapatnam, and Rishikonda beaches, scenic landscapes, and breathtaking sunsets.
Cable cars operate to nearby Kailasagiri Hilltop Park which has beautifully landscaped gardens and offers panoramic views of the city and the coastline.
The city serves as the gateway to the Eastern Ghats, a mountain range known for its scenic beauty and biodiversity. The Araku Valley, located in the Eastern Ghats is a popular tourist attraction.
The Borra Caves, situated in the Ananthagiri Hills near Visakhapatnam, are famous for their stunning limestone formations. They are one of the largest caves on the subcontinent.
Visakhapatnam has several Buddhist sites, including the Thotlakonda and Bavikonda Buddhist Complexes, which were important Buddhism teaching centres from the 1st century BC.
Kondakarla Bird Sanctuary is a haven for birdwatching. It hosts a variety of migratory birds during the winter season.
Rushikonda Hills in Visakhapatnam offers stunning views of the city and is popular among hikers and nature lovers.
A traditional Andhra Pradesh meal like in all of South India (Peninsula India) is served like “Thali” on a banana leaf. Visakhapatnam is known for its delicious seafood, especially the Andhra-style prawns and fish curry, which are a must-try for food enthusiasts.
VIJAYAWADA
Vijayawada on the banks of river Krishna is the second-largest populated city in Andhra Pradesh the commercial, political, and media capital of the state. Surrounded by hills and canals, Vijayawada is also home to numerous caves and rock-cut temples going back centuries. The ancient monuments stand in perfect harmony with the modern architecture of the metro city.
Among the most popular places to visit in Vijayawada are Bhavani Island, Victoria Museum, Kolleru Lake, Rajiv Gandhi Park in addition there are a host of temples and several caves to visit. The city also can be used as a base to explore nearby attractions like the Kondapalli Fort, Undavalli Caves, and Mangalagiri Hill.
THIRUPATHY
The Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the hill town of Tirumala at Thirupathi. The temple construction style and the towering gopuram display a unique example of Dravidian architecture is believed to have been constructed over a period starting from 300 AD.
Set in a stunning position, surrounded by wooded hills capped by a ring of vertical red rocks, the Sri Venkateshvara temple at Tirumala 105 miles northwest of Chennai, is said to be one of the richest temples in the subcontinent of India if not the world.
The steep trail starts at Alipuri 2.5 miles from the centre of Thirupati and the climb takes around four hours, so it is best to start very early.
GANDIKOTA
Gandikota is dubbed the “Grand Canyon” of India. Gandikota is a small village in the Kadapa District. The village has this spectacular gorge created by the waters of the famous Pennar River that streams from the ‘Erramala Hills’. This major but less known attraction is well worth a visit. Home to the historic fort along the Penna River, this site has a view of the canyon.
AMARAVATI
Amaravati is the capital of Andhra Pradesh State and is located on the banks of the Krishna River in the Guntur district. Dharanikota a historical city site nearby was founded more than 2,200 years ago serving as an ancient capital in the region.
THE ISLAND OF NAGARJUNAKONDA
Nagarjunakonda, 166km south of Hyderabad and 175km west of Vijayawada is all that remains of the vast area, rich in archaeological sites, that was submerged when the huge Nagarjuna Sagar dam was built across the Krishna River in 1960.
Ancient settlements in the valley had first been discovered in 1926, and extensive excavations carried out between 1954 and 1960 uncovered more than one hundred sites dating from the early Stone Age to late medieval times.
Nagarjunakonda was once the summit of a hill, where a fort towered 200m above the valley floor; now it is just a small oblong island near the middle of Nagarjuna Sagar Lake.
Several Buddhist monuments have been reconstructed, in an operation reminiscent of that at Abu Simbel in Egypt, and a museum exhibits the more remarkable ruins of the valley.
