Andhra Pradesh Tourism

Andhra Pradesh: Pockets full of culture

Chasing the coast of the Bay of Bengal, is aesthetic, adventurous and abundant Andhra Pradesh. A state with varying shades, some known, and others to be discovered. Its beauty begins with its crystal lakes, moving slowly to its winding valleys, spearing right up to its prestigious peaks. Andhra Pradesh is synonymous with its dramatic cinema, spicy delicacies and diverse spiritual beliefs. Although it has remnants of ancient civilisations, it does not fall behind in the wheel of change.

Highlights of Andhra Pradesh: your travel diary entries

Beaches

Visakhapatnam is home to goregous little beaches, along the coast of the Bay of Bengal. There, you can peek at a preserved submarine at a museum in Ramakrishna beach, or marvel at the palm trees of Yarada beach. One of the oldest beaches in Andhra Pradesh - Baruva beach, commemorates an ancient tragedy of a sinking ship. Kalingapatnam beach, on the other hand, is one the state’s major sand deposits and an old port from which textiles and perfumes were exported. Take a walk along one of these pristine beaches, for an evening of peace.

Lakes

One of the largest freshwater lakes in India - Kolleru lake, is the nesting place for the majestic Siberian crane and painted stork. Pulicat lake is the second largest brackish water body in India, and attracts more than 15,000 flamingos every year, along with kingfishers, pelicans, herons, spoonbills and storks. A visit to any one of these lakes, is not only an opportunity to acknowledge these vast bodies of water, but to observe a variety of fascinating birds during their migratory routes.

Hills and valleys

Araku Valley in the Visakhapatnam district is obscured by emerald green forests, glittering waterfalls and rich coffee plantations. This beautiful hill station is clouded with an enchanting mist and holds the promise of indigenous local tribes. Here, you can visit the Anantagiri and Sunkarimetta Reserved Forest and gaze at the fascinating collection of biodiversity. Head to Horsley Hills in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Perched up at a height of 1,265m, these hills are laden with eucalyptus plants and exotic species of trees.  If you’re lucky, you will spot the yellow-throated bulbul, black eagle or white-rumped shama. For a spiritual stop, visit Mahendragiri hill, in Mandasa village. It is the holy abode of Lord Shiva’s 6th incarnation – Parasurama.

Religious sites

St Peter’s Church in Bheemunipatnam, is an architectural gem. You must view the stained-glass window of the east side of the church. It illustrates Christ’s baptism, crucifixion and the breaking of bread with his disciples.

In the hill town of Tirumala, is a temple dedicated to the incarnation of Lord Vishnu – Sri Venkateswara, who appeared to save man from Kali Yuga. It is a classic example of Dravidian architecture, and the wealthiest temple in the world in terms of donations.

Shahi jamia masjid, in the Kurnool district, is believed to have been built by Governor Siddi Masood Khan. It is open to people of all faiths, who flock to behold the exquisite white monument that is spotted with green. Bavikonda Buddhist Complex is a mere 16km from Visakhapatnam. Here, you can view pottery, inscriptions, caskets, coins, tiles, bricks and even an urn with Buddha’s remains in it.

Culture

Andhra Pradesh is akin to a story book. With the turn of each page, is a new cultural element to behold. From the local dance form - Kuchipudi, to the unique textile art forms - Machilipatnam and Srikalahasti Kalamkari, to philosophical poems and expressionist Telugu literature, Andhra Pradesh will satisfy the culture connoisseur in you. And while your perusing through these elements, don’t forget to visit the cinema and catch a quintessential Telugu film. Your trip to Andhra Pradesh is incomplete without a taste of its spicy-tangy cuisine. Why don’t you try the sarva pindi, which a pancake made from rice flour, channa dal, green chillies, sesame seeds and curry leaves.

Interesting facts about Andhra Pradesh – unboxing little surprises

• Andhra Pradesh is home to the delicious Tirupati Ladoo, that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
• Pingali Venkayya, an Indian freedom fighter who was instrumental in designing the Indian flag, hailed from the state of Andhra Pradesh.
• The British referred to the language of Telugu as the ‘Italian of the East’.
• Lambasingi, a small village in Visakhapatnam, is the only place in South India that witnesses snowfall.
• India’s first digital technology institute (IIDT), was built in Andhra Pradesh.

Location: On the world map

Andhra Pradesh shares its border with Telangana in the north west, Chhattisgarh and Odisha in the north east, Karnataka in the west, Tamil Nadu in the south and Bay of Bengal in the east. Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra constitute the two major regions in this state.

Click here to view Andhra Pradesh on Google Map

Timings: Best time to visit

Summers can go up to a searing 45 degrees, while the monsoon air is coated with humidity and makes for an uncomfortable trip.  As such, the winter season (November – February) is the most pleasant time to visit Andhra Pradesh as temperatures range from 15-25 degrees.

How to get to Andhra Pradesh – a journey to remember

By Road – Andhra Pradesh has a well-connected network of state and national highways, covering an area of 1000 km. Its bus service is highly efficient, including Pandit Nehru Bus Station, which is one of Asia’s largest bus terminals. You may choose to avail of the bus service or embark on a long road trip via a private vehicle or taxi.

By Rail – Andhra Pradesh’s intricate rail network is divided into 2 zones and subdivided into divisions. Its broad gauge covers an area of 3703.25 km. It is highly connected, both inter and intra state, rendering it a viable option to select.

By Air – Andhra Pradesh’s airports have access to domestic, international, and private flights. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad has direct flights to and from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Cochin, Goa and Ahmedabad. Visakhapatnam Airport and Vijayawada Airport constitute the other international airports in the state.

History: chronicles of the past

Archaeology points towards the rule of the ancient Mauryan dynasty in the Andhra region. However, the death of Emperor Ashoka led to the demise of this civilisation and the settlement of several smaller empires – The Satavahana dynasty, The Salankanayas, Kakatiyas, Musunuri Nayaks, Reddy Dynasty and Vijayanagara Empire. The 19^th century saw the establishment of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, as the British East India Company came to the frontier. The Nizam rulers relinquished power to the British but retained control over the local economy. It was in 1948 that the princely state of Hyderabad joined the Republic of India, through Operation Polo.