Indian States

Andhra Pradesh :- Fifth largest city in the country, Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and is an important commercial and tourist center. Some of the important places to see in Hyderabad are Charminar, Golconda, Salarjung museum etc.

Vishakapatnam, Hyderabad, Warangal, Vijayawada and Tirupati etc. are some of the important cities to see in Andhra Pradesh

 

Main Cities / Town :-

HYDERABAD , the capital City of Andhra Pradesh.

 

Hyderabad the capital city of Andhra Pradesh, spells magic for it combines the old with the new, retaining its old culture and hospitality while driving itself to conquer new frontiers, particularly in the realm of information technology as well as tourism. Over the past few years, Andhra Pradesh tourism has emerged as a frontrunner in regards to the creation of new tourist attractions and infrastructure. It often called the gateway to the South, blends the north and south, blends the north and south Indian identities

Out of all the states of erstwhile Deccan - Bijapur, Berar, Bidar and Golconda - Golconda was by far the most powerful. Ruled by the Qutub Shahis, the capital Bhagyanagar was named after a royal beloved Bhagmati, who later as the wife of Quli Qutub Shah became Hyder Mahal and thus was born Hyderabad.

Main  Tourist attractions  of   Hyderabad

 

Char Minar :- One of the most important landmarks of Hyderabad with four graceful minarets. The monument was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 to commemorate the eradication of plague, shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to what now is known as Hyderabad.

 

Golconda Fort :- Golkonda (or Golconda), a ruined city of south-central India, is situated west of Hyderabad, capital of ancient Hyderabad state (13th to 15th century). In America many towns are named after this fort. The most important builder of Golconda was Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah Wali, the fourth Qutb king. Ibrahim was following in the spirit of his ancestors,

 

Mecca Masjid : -  (Mosque) Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, India is one of the oldest and the biggest mosques in India. Built by Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah, the 6th Sultan of Hyderabad began building it in 1617 under the supervision of Mir Faizullah Baig and Rangaiah Chowdary.

 

The Chowmahalla Palace : - It is situated just at a walk able distance from charminar. It was the seat of Asaf Jahi dynasty, where the Nizam entertained his official guests and royal visitors. Initiated in 1750 by Nizam Salabat Jung and designed along the lines of the Shah's palace in Isfahan,

 

The Salarjung Museum :- One of the oldest Museum of Hyderabad is the third largest museum in India housing the biggest one-man collections of antiques in the world. It is well known throughout India for its prized collections belonging to different civilizations dating back to the 1st century.

 

The Falaknuma Palace : -  It is one of the finest palaces in Hyderabad, India. It is located in Falaknuma area, 5km. from Charminar was built by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra, the then Prime Minister of Hyderabad.[1] Falaknuma literally means "Star of Heaven" in urdu. Since the palace was the private property of the Nizam family until recently, visitors weren't allowed,

 

The Taramati Baaradari Palace : - This palace is located in Hyderabad, India, that was built under the Seventh Sultan of Golconda, Abdullah Qutub Shah as an ode to his favorite courtesan, Taramati.Taramati was to Abdullah Qutub Shah, what Bhagmati was to his grandfather Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, the Founder of Hyderabad,

 

Birla Temple : - It is built on a 280-feet high hillock called the Naovath Pahad on a 13 acres plot. The construction of the temple took 10 years and it was consecrated in 1976. Birla Mandir is a magnificent Hindu temple of Lord Venkateshwara located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is built entirely in white marble by the Birla Foundation. Birla Science Museum Next to Birla Mandir,

 

Qutb Shahi Tomb :- The Qutub Shahi Tombs is the burial ground of the seven kings of the Qutb Shahi dynasty are situated at Ibrahim Bagh Tolichowki near Golconda. The tombs are very popular among tourists coming to Hyderabad.

 

Hussain Sagar (Lake) :-  Hussain Sagar lake is situated in Hyderabad, India built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali in 1562, during the rule of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah.  It is a man-made lake is also famous for the 19-metre tall Buddha statue on a platform island called "Rock of Gibraltar" in the middle of the lake, and for the Tank Bund which consists of beautiful gardens and statues of famous personalities

 

Huda Lumbini Park  :- This is one of the popular park in the Hyderabad city. The main attraction of this park was the Musical fountain. It is now replaced by the 1500 seater Laserium, the first of its kind in the state.

 

Nehru Zoological Park :- This zoo is among the largest in India, houses a large variety of animals, birds, nocturnal species, aquatic and amphibian species etc,

 

The Snow World :-  It is the World’s Biggest and India’s 1st Snow Theme Park. Spread over 17,000 square feet area, Lower Tank Bund Road, behind Indira Park, Hyderabad it is yet another landmark in twin cities. Snow World has an indoor "Cryo Zone" full of attractions from a natural snowscape

 

The Ramoji Film City :- Hyderabad (RFC) is the world’s largest integrated film studio complex at over 2,000 acres of land. It is also a popular tourism and recreation centre, containing both natural and artificial attractions. It is situated on Hyderabad - Vijayawada, highway, about 25 km from Hyderabad. A Japanese garden, the ETV planet (a multi-purpose editing suit), a pool, artificial waterfalls,

 

 

TIPUPATI

Tirupati,the Lord Venkateshwara, Tirupati seems to be frozen in the ancient times. Located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, it is visited by numerous devout pilgrims from all parts of India. This temple of Lord Venkateshwara is one of the richest temples in the world and is also known for its historical significance. On your travel to Tirupati, don’t miss out some of the finest pilgrim spots that are located here. Some of the well-known tourist attractions in Tirupati are:
 

Tourist attraction of Tirupathi
Sri Venkateswara Temple:- This temple is one of the most visited ones and proudly owns the title of being the richest in the entire world. Perched on the seventh peak of the Tirupati Hills, the temple features the ancient scriptures like Shastras, Puranas and Sthala Mahatyams. This temple is said to be the only way to salvation (Moksha) in the Kali yuga (Dark Age) and a visit to this temple is recommended even in the ancient scriptures.

Sri Govindarajaswami Temple:- This temple is one of the prominent tourist attractions in Tirupati. It features an impressive Gopuram easily visible from a distance. In the year 1130 AD Saint Ramanujacharya sanctified the temple. Within the temple complex you will come across museum and a collection of shrines of Sri Parthasarathy, Godadevi Aandal and Pundarikavalli. Sayanamurti (Lord in a sleeping posture) is the chief deity.

Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple:- It is located in the heart of Tirupati and the presiding deities of this temple are Sita, Rama and Lakshmana. This magnificent temple was built during the tenth century AD by a Chola king. This temple, according to legend, celebrates the visit of Sri Rama. The main festivals celebrated in this temple are Ugadi and Sri Ramanavami.

Sri Kapileshwaraswami Temple:- This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is at the foot of the Tirumala Hills. Here, you will also find the holy waterfall called Kapila Teertham (Alwar Teertham). It is the sole Shiva Temple in the town of Tirupati and houses the shrine of Sri Kapileshwaraswami. It is one of the most recommended places to visit in Tirupati and should not be missed out at any cost.

Tiruchanur :- This charming place is home to the well-known temple of Sri Padmavathi Devi (Goddess Lakshmi), the wife of Sri Venkateswara. Peple are of the belief that a visit to Tirupati temple is gratifying only after paying reverence to Sri Padmavati Devi Temple. Don’t miss out this hallowed place on your tour to Tirupati.

 

VISAKHAPATNAM 

Visakhapatnam is always delightful with its sandy beaches and natural beauty. Though the city has been heavily industrialized, it has kept its charm alive through the blue waters and coconut trees. On your tour to Vizag, you will find so many places that are worth-seeing. Varying from Buddhist excavation sites to primeval temples, golden beaches to green forests, interesting museums to vantage points, this city has ample of places to make your trip really good one. So making your itinerary for sightseeing tours, the tourist attractions of Vishakapatnam have been jotted down here.
 

Tourist attraction of Visakhapatnam
Ramakrishna Beach :- Ramakrishna Beach is the most popular beach of Visakhapatnam. With its serene waters and tranquil atmosphere, the beach offers a lovely vista of the countryside. In the past few years, it has gained immense popularity amongst the tourists.

Rishikonda Beach :- Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Rishikonda Beach is the perfect destination for people on a holiday. The untouched sandy stretches and warm waves of the ocean make this beach definitely worth-visiting.

Indira Gandhi Zoological Park :- Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is one amongst the largest zoos of India, sited in the natural surroundings of a reserve forest. Sprawled in an area of 625 acres, the park was named after Indira Gandhi - the former Prime Minister of India. It was opened to the public in the year 1977.

Kailasagiri :- Perhaps Kailasagiri is the most beautiful places in the expanse of Vizag. Perched on a hilltop, it is an interesting place that certainly looks like the abode of God. It also offers spectacular view of both Rishikonda and Ramakrishna Beach. Actually a hill park, Kailasagiri boasts of numerous attractions like Shiva Parvati Statue, Shanku Chakra Naama, Floral Clock, Jungle Trails, Food Courts, 7 Wonders of Vizag, Shiva Temple, Titanic View Point, Shanti Ashram, View Points, Art Gallery, Road Train, Gliding Base Point, Children Play Park, Conference Hall, Telescopic Point etc. Over and above, the pleasant atmosphere and scenic beauty make this place worth-visiting.

Dolphin's Nose :- Indeed Dolphin's Nose is the famous landmark in Visakhapatnam. With a height of 357 meters, the landmark is a rock in the shape of a Dolphin's nose. It's a promontory and also has a lighthouse, which is conceivably the oldest lighthouse in India. Another interesting point about this lighthouse is that its beam can be seen from even 64 km out at sea.

Mudasarlova Water Works and Park :- About 10 km from Vishakhapatnam, Mudasarlova Park is actually sited in a valley encircled by hills. The attraction of the place is made by a lake that supplies water to the park, where slides and sports are attracting tourists and city-dwellers. It also has a Golf Course, which is owned by the East Point Golf Club.

The Harbour & the Three Hills :- Vishakhapatnam boasts of embracing the natural harbour of the country. Dotted with trees and hills, this harbour is one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. In the company of three hills, it presents a wonderful vista. Another interesting fact is that each hill has one place of worship, dedicated to three major religions in the world. In the north, Dargah Konda comprises a mosque, while Venkateshwara Konda in the south has a temple of Lord Venkateshwara. Roman Catholic Church of Mother Mary founds its place on the Ross Hill. Amidst these hills, there is a jungle trail, meandering over three acres of dense forest. It's a nice place to go for trekking.

Submarine Museum :- Submarine Museum is a nice place to feel real-life experience at submarines. It is the only museum in India as well as the Asia to build a submarine. Actually, the museum has been crafted out of a real submarine of Indian Navy. Here, you can get to know about the working inside the submarine.

 War Memorial :- To be found opposite Submarine Museum on the Beach Road, War Memorial was built to commemorate the victory at the sea in the Indo-Pak war of 1971. The Naval Museum established here exhibits a fighter plane, a tank and few missiles.

Matsyadarshini :- Aquarium Sited near R.K Beach, Matsyadarshini Aquarium has a nice collection of marine fishes and freshwater fishes. Its, out of the ordinary, façade has an entrance doorway, which resembles the open mouth of a giant white-tipped shark. 'Kala Shrusti' is a handicraft shop located on the top of building.

Bavikonda :- Dating back to the 2nd-3rd century, Bavikonda is a Buddhist excavated site. A drive of about 8 km from the city would bring you to this place, situated along the beach road. In the earlier times, the wells at the hill were used to collect rainwater for drinking purposes. Pottery, Roman coins and Satavahana coins were some of the artifacts found here. Further excavations revealed various stupas, monasteries, platforms, relic caskets, tiles, stuccos, iron objects, moulded bricks, coins, etc.

Mangamaripeta :- Mangamaripeta, a small hamlet, is situated about 16 km from Visakhapatnam. It is known for Thotlakonda, a hill embracing a Buddhist complex. At an elevation of 128 meters above ground, this complex was discovered by an aerial survey conducted by the Indian Navy. Dating back to 200 BC and 200 AD, Thotlakonda was under the sway of Kalingas and used to serve as the promotional centre of Buddhism. 

VIJAYAWADA

Vijayawada has many interesting places that make a nice tour to the city. In the company of Granite Mountains, the historical monuments appear lively with the hoary appeal. Be it museums containing relics, splendid temples and mosques, engraved caves or modern structures, the city is full of special charms. Once visited, these attractions would become part of your most cherished memories. On your trip to Vijaywada, tourist attractions would add to the excitement of the whole journey. Scroll down to get more information about the sightseeing tours in Vijayawada.  

Tourist attraction of Vijayawada
Kanaka Durga Temple :- Perhaps Kanaka Durga Temple is the most popular temple of the city. Perched on Indrakiladri Hill, the temple provides a panoramic view of Vijayawada. The presiding deity in the temple is Kanaka Durga, who is considered as the Goddess of power, riches and benevolence. There are several inscriptions inside the temple, representing different dynasties. Though all festivals are observed here with full enthusiasm, Dusshera deserves special mention. People from all parts of the region come to visit this divine temple.  
Victoria Jubilee Regional Museum :- Situated on Bandar Road, Victoria Jubilee Regional Museum has been set up by the State Archaeological Department. It comprises beautiful sculptures, attractive paintings, idols, weapons, cutlery and inscriptions that date back to the 1st and 2nd centuries.
Bhavani Island :- Perhaps Bhavani Island is the largest island in Krishna River. Located near Prakasam Barrage, the island has been groomed up by Andhra Pradesh tourism. It has some cottages that offer really cozy accommodation. A boat ride to this island in itself would be an electrifying activity.
Gundala Church :- Also known as St. Mary's Church, Gundala Church was earlier an orphanage. It is to be found on the eastern side of the town on a hillock. 'Our Lady of Lourdes' is an annual event observed at the church that is attended by hundreds of people.
The Gandhi Stupa :- Perched on Gandhi Hill, the Stupa was the first memorial built in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi across the country. Here one can see the teachings of the legend inscribed on stone slabs. Gandhi Memorial Library, Planetarium, Sound and Light Show are the added attractions at the hill.
Akkana and Madanna Caves :- En route for Kanaka Durga Temple, Akkana and Madanna Caves are the rock-cut caves built in the 17th century. Akkana and Madanna were actually ministers in the court of Abdul Hasan Tanashah. These caves are accompanied by one more cave that dates back to the 2nd century and houses trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara.
Rajiv Gandhi Park :- Rajiv Gandhi Park is an educative park, erected by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation. Being at the entrance of the city, the park welcomes the tourists with its impressive horticultural work. In the company of mini zoo, playing area for children and a musical water fountain, Rajiv Gandhi National Park is a favorite picnic spot amongst the people.

Malleswaraswami Temple :- In the proximity of Kanaka Durga Temple, the shrine of Malleswaraswami is sited on Indrakiladri hill. Lord Mallikarjuna is known by the name of Malleswara in the Puranas. The idol inside the shrine is believed to have been installed by Yudhishthira (the eldest brother of the Pandavas) to commemorate their victory in the South.

Vijayeswara Swami Temple :- In the vein of other temples, Vijayeswara temple is positioned on Indrakiladri Hill in Vijayawada. The installation of deity is regarded to have been done by Arjuna to mark his victory with Lord Shiva as 'Kirata' (hunter).

Besant Road :- Besant Road is the most busy and crowded roads of Vijaywada. In and around this place, you can find about 50 cinema halls since theatres are the major source of entertainment for people.

Subramanya Swamy Temple :- One amongst the popular temples in Vijayawada, Subramanya Swamy Temple is also sited Indrakiladri Hill. One can take a flight of steps to reach the shrine. At the time of Skanda Shashti Festival, the temple receives thousands of devotees from all nearby areas.

Sri Nagarala Sri Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru Temple
Located in Chiitinagar, Sri Nagarala Sri Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru Temple is a significant shrine in Vijayawada. Dussehra, being the major festival celebrated at the temple, attracts devotees from far and wide.

 

Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh

        

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary : - This sanctuary is located nearby Kakinada and is part of the Godavari River. There is a luxuriant Mangrove forest which homes to rare species. Animals like crocodile, fishing cat and sea turtle are found here.

 

Eturnagaram Sanctuary : It is situated in the Warangal District in Andhra Pradesh. It is covered with deciduous trees like teak and bamboo.
Some exotic animals like the tiger, antelope, bear and the black buck are noticed in this sanctuary.

 

Gundala Brahmeswara Sanctuary :- Located between the districts of Prakasam and Kurnool, this sanctuary features woods of deciduous trees like teak, albizzia, shisham and bamboo. The major animals found here are tiger, panther, monkey, chinkara and a variety of reptiles. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park : This sanctuary is very close to the Vishakhapatnam railway station.

 

Fair and Festivals of Andhra Pradesh

 

Andhra Pradesh is famous for its varied culture and tradition. One of the highlight of its culture are the numerous festivals celebrated here. Most of these festivals are religious and some are organized by the government of Andhra Pradesh state. These festivals are celebrated with great pomp and gaiety.

Religious Festivals
There are various religious festivals celebrated in Andhra Pradesh. These festivals belong to different religions, but are celebrated with equal excitement and enthusiasm.

Pongal ( January)
Famous Pongal, the harvest festival, is celebrated from the 13th to the 15th of January every year. It literally means "boiling over" and is a celebration of the flourishing crops in the fields. This festival basically belongs to farming community, but today it is celebrated throughout the South India. Mainly in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

Sivaratri ( February- March)

Sivaratri, is one of the pre-historic festivals celebrated all over India in the months of February/March. This festival is devoted to Lord Shiva, the destroyer. Sivaratri is celebrated by remaining awake throughout the night, visiting the temple and listening to the Vedic recitals and their meanings.

Moharrum ( April)
Moharrum is a Muslim festival celebrated in Hyderabad. Other Muslim festivals like Milad-un-Nabi and Id are also celebrated with assemblies held at Mecca Masjid and at Dar-us-Salaam. These festivals are also celebrated with equal happiness all over the country.

 

Ugadi ( April – May)
Ugadi is the New Year's day in andhra culture. It is celebrated every year after the celebration of 'holi' in April-May.
 

Vinayaka or Ganesh Chaturthi (August- September)
Ganesh or Vinayak Chaturthi is celebrated to mark the birthday of Lord Ganesh or Vinayak. This famous festival is celebrated with excitement and enthusiasm throughout the country along with Andhra Pradesh. The duration of Ganesh Chaturthi is ten days and on the tenth day Ganesh idols are immersed in the Hussain Sagar lake.

Diwali ( October- November)

Diwali, the festival of light, is celebrated in th entire country including Andhra Pradesh. This festival is dedicated to the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. It is celebrated by decorating house with lights and burning crackers.

State Festivals
Andhra Pradesh Tourism conducts four festivals every year. These festivals help the thriving tourism in the state.

Deccan Festivals ( February)
The Deccan festival is a celebration of Hyderabad's arts, crafts, culture and cuisine. The highlight of the festival are the Pearls and Bangles fair and a food fair. The festival also includes cultural programs, food stalls, arts and craft shops etc.

Lumbini Festivals (December)

The Lumbini festival celebrates the Buddhist Heritage of andra Pradesh. This festival is celebrated in Nagarjunasagar and Hyderabad for three days from second Friday of December, every year.

 

Utsav (January)
The Visaka Utsav is a celebration of the arts, crafts and cuisine of Visakahapatan district. It is celebrated from the 3rd Sunday of January in every year and the duration of the festival is three days.

Dance of Andhra Pradesh
India's age old culture and tradition is incomplete, without mentioning the various dance forms having related to a particular period or environment. Similarly, every state of India boasts of its different classical and folk dance forms. Andhra Pradesh is also the proud owner of some of the most beautiful famous dance forms. It offers a variety of performing arts unique to its culture.

Kuchipudi Dance- The Classical Dance
Kuchipudi, the famous classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh derives its name from a village, situated about 60 km. away from Vijayawada. It is located just above the delta region of the river Krishna. Kuchipudi originated from a hamlet in Andhra Pradesh, called Kuchelapuri or Kuchelapuram in the 3rd century B.C.

Folk Dance :- Apart from the classical dance form, Andhra Pradesh is also known for its tribal dances. They also contribute equally to the artistic heritage of Andhra Pradesh. Since Andhra Pradesh is inhabited by many large tribes, thus, it is rich in traditional folk and tribal dances. The folk dance forms are accompanied by the folk theater the can be seen in its regional forms almost in every region of the state. Bathakamma, Gobbi, Mathuri, Dhamal, Dandaria, Dappu, Vadhyam are a few famous tribal folk arts. The dances of the Banjaras and the Siddi tribes are also famous. These dances are generally performed on the occasion of community festivals.

 

Veeraanatyam :- This dance form is performed by the Veeramusti community of Andhra Pradesh which claims to be the descendant of Veerabhadra. This is a vigorous dance form performed with instruments like Tambura, Soolam, Dolu, Tasha & Veeranam. This community is usually found at Draksharamam in East Godavari District. It is believed that Lord Shiva, performed an aggressive dance form, outraged at the humiliation of his consort. He plucked a strand out of his long hair and created the legendary Veerabhadra.

Butta Bommalu :- The Butta Bommalu is a typical folk dance form popular in Tanuku of West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Butta Bommalu literally means basket toys, made of woodhusk, dry grass & cow dung. The dancers wear different mask over the head and shoulders, thus widening the range of the performer.

Dappu :- This folk dance form is performed mainly in Telangana. The highlight of this dance form is an instrument made of goatskin. It is a tambourine like drum which is beaten with sticks creating a rhythm accompanied by the ankle bells worn by the dancers. Almost 16 to 20 Dappu dancers perform at a time.

Chindu Bhagvatham :- The Chindu Bhagavatham dance is an alive dance form belonging to the Nizamabad district. The Chindu dancers wear colorful make-up along with even more colorful costumes. The instruments used for this dance form are cymbals, tabla & a harmonium.

Tappetagullu :-The Tappetagullu is popular dance form of Srikakulam & Vizianagaram districts. This is a devotional dance form, performed in order to persuade the God of rain to bless the land with rainfall. The Tappetagullu is a prefect combination of vigor, rhythm and tempo.
 

Lambadi : This dance form is inspired by the daily chores of a farmer, like harvesting, planting, sowing etc. The Lambadi dance form is performed by the Banjaras, a semi-nomadic tribe found all over Andhra Pradesh.

Bonalu :-The folk festival of Bonalu is celebrated in the Telangana region. On the occasion of this festival, colorfully dressed female dancers preform a difficult balancing act. These dancers balance pots (bonalu), matching to the rhythmic beats and tunes, in order to pay homage to the village deity, Mahankali.

Dhimsa :-The Dhimsa folk dance is generally performed in local fairs & festivals of Araku Valley in Vishakhapatanam district. Almost 15 to 20 tribal women dressed in typical tribal attire and ornaments, form a chain and dance to the rhythm. Some of the instruments used for this dance form are Mori, Thudum & Dappu, played by the male members of the community.

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