Hyderabad | Tirupati | Wildlife | Hill Stations | Architectural Wonders | Sacred Shrines | Coastline

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 Nehru Zoological Park, near the Mir Alam Tank, in Hyderabad is a natural habitat, supporting a teeming wildlife population. It has to its credit the first lion safari park of South Asia.The Pakkal, Tadvai and Ethurnagaram sanctuaries abound in tiger, panther, wild boar, jackal, muntjack, fox, gaur, wild dog and the sloth bear. The Kolleru Lake situated 95 km from Amravati, is a haven for migratory birds. A little beyond 8 km lies Aredu, India's largest pelicanry, a favourite haunt of migratory birds.
Kawak Wildlife Sanctuary in Adilabad district lies 50 km from Mancheral railway station. The prominent animals here are the sloth bear, deer, antelope and leopard. The delta region of the Godavari has the Coringa Sanctuary which is renowned for reptiles like the salt water crocodile. Just a few kilometres away from Hyderabad are three deer parks - the Jawahar Lake Deer Park, famous for the chital, and the Mahavir Vansthali Park, and Mrugavani Chilkur Park famous for the sambar, chinkara, chowsingha, blackbuck and chital.
Nagarjunasagar - Srisailam Sanctuary
The largest of the country's Tiger Reserves, the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Sanctuary is spread over an area of 3568 sq. km. Adjoining the reserve is the great reservoir of the Nagarjunasagar Dam on the Krishna river. The dry deciduous forests harbour a plethora of fauna - like the tiger, leopard, sloth bear, hyena, jungle cat, palm civet, bonnet macaque and the pangolin. The best time to visit is October-June. The nearest town is Macherla (29 km). The nearest airport and rail-head is at Hyderabad (150 km). 
Contact: Field Director, Project Tiger, Srisailam Dam East, Andhra Pradesh - 512102.
The Kinnerasani Deer Park and wildlife sanctuaries at Gudem and Parvatipuram are the other gems in the state's natural treasure trove.

The uncrowded and serene hill stations of Andhra Pradesh offer a cool respite from the heat and grime of the plains. Nestling in the Eastern Ghats are the charming little resorts of Anantagiri and Araku. Laid out amidst picturesque coffee plantations, the road to Anantagiri is literally enveloped with mango groves and waterfalls, that gush and flow into the ravines. Araku is a group of five valleys. The abode of 19 different tribes, life in the valley displays a distinctive culture. Situated south east of Andhra, on the Karnataka border and around 165 km from Bangalore, the Horsley Hills is another popular resort. This serene hamlet offers stunning views of sylvan valleys, offering adventurous forays through sandalwood, eucalyptus, teak and mango plantations.

Fringed by the Bay of Bengal, many an alluring beach is tucked away along the coastline. The seaface of Visakhapatnam, besides its bustling harbour, has a single massive rock jutting into the ocean at a height of 174 m. Referred to as the Dolphin's Nose, the gigantic cliff has a powerful lighthouse that sends signals as far as 65 km. The beach front of Visakhapatnam is peaceful and enticing. Rishikonda and Bhimli are calm, making them aquatic playgrounds. Bhimunipatnam, 24 km from Visakhapatnam is a pleasure resort at the mouth of the river Gosthani. The idyllic beaches at Bapatla, Kalingapatnam, Maipad and Manginapudi are ideal picnic - spots.

1000-pillared temple, Warangal
Andhra Pradesh provides a montage of architectural styles, replete with astonishing sculpture and splendid edifices, left behind by dynasties of yore. Located at 149 km from Hyderabad, Nagarjunasagar - Nagarjunakonda are the renowned twin tourist attractions, housing the world's tallest masonry dam and the excavated ruins of Buddhist settlements, that date back to the second and third century B.C. Named after Acharya Nagarjuna, a Buddhist philosopher who spread Mahayana Buddhism, the Nagarjunasagar dam is among the earliest hydro electric projects of the country. Thanks to it, Andhra Pradesh is today the 'rice bowl' of India.

Kondapur, 90 km north of Hyderabad, has the remains of a vast Buddhist complex. 

A cluster of three towns, Warangal-Kazipet-Hanamkonda present images of the amazing architecture of the Kakatiya dynasty. The ornate 1000 - pillared temple on the Hanamkonda hill, was built in 1162. The 300 - pillared mandapa, carved doorways and stone motifs make it a magnificent temple. An elephant line-up scooped out of a rock, and the 1.8 m high impressive Nandi in polished black stone, are exceptional masterpieces. 

Situated 50 km from Warangal is the glorious Ramappa shrine at Palampet. Constructed in pink sandstone, the ornamented bands, floral motifs, and an array of dancers, musicians and goddesses carved in stone, are unbelievably beautiful. Yet another impressive expanse of ruined temples lies at Ghanapur, 6 km east of Palampet. In the east of Andhra Pradesh lies Vijayawada, which abounds in caves and temples dating back to the first century. The significant amongst them being the Mogalrajapuram cave temple, Undavalli caves, Kanakadurga and Malleeswara temples. The Borra caves, near Vishakapatnam, believed to be a million years old, are a fascinating sight with their many wonderful stalagmite and stalactite formations. Another remarkable feature of this site is a village stream which vanishes in the raw limestone hills and reemerges from within a gorge, 91 metres below the socketed cave.

Situated on the south bank of the river Krishna is Amaravati, 66 km from Vijayawada. It is famous for its treasure trove of remnants of Buddhist cult - carvings, murals and sculptured panels. Many Jain and Buddhist relics are to be found at Gudivada, 45 km from Vijayawada. 

A land of manifold pilgrimage sites, Andhra Pradesh is home to many religions. The most significant Hindu pilgrim spot is Tirumala - Tirupati in Chitoor district. It is the most venerated Vaishnavaite shrine of Lord Venkateswara and his consorts. Perched on the 860 m high peak of the Tirumala hills, the shrine is a masterpiece of Dravidian religious architecture. The idols are embellished with brilliant jewels, most remarkable of which is the diamond crown said to be the costliest in the world.
Sri Kalahasti, situated 36 km from Tirupati is famous for its Vayudeva temple, which is the only shrine of the god of wind, in India. Yadagirigutta in Nalgonda district is the state's second most famous Vaishnavaite shrine. Its majestic five-storeyed gopuram, and the Vaikunta Dwaram or 'Gateway to Heaven' are simply incredible. 
Alampur is the gateway to Dravidian architecture. It is a confluence of three styles - Chalukya, Chola and Ganga. Srisailam is renowned for the Bharamaramba Mallikarjunaswamy temple. Ahobilam is the sole shrine in the country, where Lord Vishnu is worshipped in all his nine forms or 'avtaars'. Pushpagiri in Cuddapah district is a remarkable temple complex. The temples of Lepakshi in Anantapur district are rich in frescoes and ornate wonders. The hanging tower here is an architectural wonder. 
Bhadrachalam in Khammam district near Warangal is well known for the Seeta Ramachandraswamy temple. The Mukteswaraswamy temple in the village of Kalesai has the rare distinction of having two lingams, one for Lord Shiva and the other for Yama. Medak is a holy shrine for the Christian community. Kolanupak is an important Jain pilgrimage site. The Hazratbal mosque in Vijayawada houses a sacred relic of the Prophet Mohammed.

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