Andhra Pradesh Information and Tourist Places
Tourist Places In Andhra Pradesh : Andhra Pradesh is a state situated on eastern coast of India. It is India’s fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city is Hyderabad. Andhra Pradesh is historically called the “Rice Bowl of India”. It is currently the second largest producer of rice in India after West Bengal. Two major rivers, the Godavari and the Krishna run across the state.
India became independent from the United Kingdom in 15th Aug 1947. Andhra Pradesh was formed from Andhra State on 1 November 1956. Agriculture has been the chief source of income for the state’s economy.
Accommodation:
There are has several options available in terms of accommodation, ranging from the Business Hotels to Five Star Hotels, from Wildlife Resorts to Beach Resorts and from Guesthouses to Budget Hotels. All the luxury hotels are well resourced to provide a comfortable stay to their guests, while observing the international standards. The great fact about all the accommodations is that most of the hotels and resorts are sited at convenient locations. the state and experience the flawless services provided by its hotels.
Visiting places and Famous temples:
Sree sailam – Sree sailam is situated in the thick, deep forests of Nallamalai hills in the Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. Sree Sailam Temple is one of the most ancient and sacred places in South India. Standing on the shores of River Krishna known as ‘Pataalganga’ here on the Rishabhagiri hill. Unlike other temples in Andhra Pradesh, people of any caste or creed can worship in this temple and touch the deity. Historically, this temple has been associated with the Chalukyan kings, Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara and Chatrapati Shivaji along with Adi Shankaracharya and the Buddhist pilgrims. Both the Hindus and the Buddhists consider this place sacred.
Tirupathi –The Tirumala Tirupathi Balaji Temple is situated on the Tirumala hill on the outskirts of Tirupathi in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Famous all over the world as a significant pilgrimage place, this ancient temple of Sri Venkateswara, the Lord of Seven Hills, is so called as Tirumala hill is a cluster of seven hills known as Seshachalam or Venkatachalam at an altitude of 2,800 ft above the sea level. The grand history of the temple spans over several centuries and it is the backbone of the pilgrimage and tourism industry of Andhra Pradesh.
Sri Kalahasti – Sri Kalahasti is one of the important ancient Siva kshetras of South India. The temple occupies the area between the river bank and the foot of the hills and is popularly known as Dakshina Kailasam. This temple is built in the period of Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar. A huge hundred pillared Mantapam is another important feature of this shrine. Sri Kalahasti is a Holy town and a municipality near Tirupati in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the banks of river Swarnamukhi, a tributary to the river Pennar. It is also informally referred as Kalahasti.
Amaravati – Amaravati is a small town situated on the banks of the River Krishna in the Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is famous for the Amareswara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the famous Pancharamas. Amaravati, also known as Dhanyakataka/Dharnaikota was the site of a great Buddhist Stupa built in pre-Mauryan times.
Lepakshi – The Veerbhadra Temple is located in the sleepy village of Lepakshi in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. The shape of the Veerbhadra Temple bears a great deal of resemblance to the tortoise. Even though the commanding deity of the temple is Veerabhadra, several other gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon are also regularly worshipped here. Some of them are Lord Rama, Lord Shiva who is also referred to as Lord Papanasesswara and Durga.
Vijayawada – Kanaka Durga Temple is a famous temple in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located on the Indrakeeladri hill in the city of Vijayawada on the banks of Krishna River. One can either motor up the ghat road or take to the steps on foot. During Dasara, lakhs of devotees from the city. One of the many mythologies associated with this place is that Arjuna prayed to Lord Siva on top of Indrakeela hill to win His blessings and the city derived its name “Vijayawada” after this victory.
Araku valley –Araku Valley is a famous tourist place in Vishakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh is close to the Orissa State, border. Araku Valley is a hill station that is dotted with lush green forests, hills, waterfalls, valleys and provides for a true nature experience.
Famous beaches in Andhra Pradesh:
Bheemunipatnam: Bheemunipatnam Beach is at a distance of 24 km. from Visakhapatnam, this beach is located at the mouth of the river Gosthani.
Manginapudi: Manginapudi Beach is located at a distance of 11 km. from Machilipatnam in Krishna District, Manginapudi deserves its importance partly from its scenic beauty and partly from being a historic port city.
Mypad Beach: Mypad Beach is located at 25 km.away from Nellore, this is a fine sandy beach.
Ramakrishna Beach: The combination of both Ramakrishna Beach and Lawson’s Bay present a very picturesque site. One of the most alluring beaches on the Eastern Coast is the Ramakrishna beach, which is a favourite haunt for tourists visiting Vishakhapatnam.
Rishikonda Beach: Rishikonda Beach Just 8-km from Vishakhapatnam is the Rishikonda Beach, a golden, unspoilt beach, washed by the sun-warmed sea.
Vodarevu: Vodarevu Beach is located at about 6-km from Chirala, in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh.
Food items:
The staple food of Andhra Pradesh is Rice, which is served with sambar. Andhra cuisine is eaten on a banana leaf by people sitting on mats or small raised wooden seats. A little water is sprinkled around the banana leaf, depicting that food can now be served. Rice is served along with a little ghee. The mango pickle called ‘Avakkaya’ is very popular. The famous south Indian Tiffin’s Idli, Dosa are found in many restaurants, but the ‘Pesarattu’ is more popular, having a filling of ‘Upma’. The main food of Andhra Pradesh is Pulihara, or tamarind rice along with green chillies adding spice to the cuisine. Green vegetables are cooked with various masalas that provide different flavors to the dish. Biryani is one of India’s most popular foods, is a flavored rice with meat or vegetables.
Shopping:
Shopping in Andhra Pradesh is also an exciting experience. Hyderabad is well known for the exclusive pearls found there. The pearls of the region are well formed and different from the ones found in any other location in India. Some of the well known fabrics of the southern state are Himroo, Ikkat and Uppada. Mangalgiri Saris are extremely well known for its textile. Kalamkari is a particularly famous artwork on textile of Andhra. Andhra Pradesh can boast of many sprawling shopping malls that are flooded with rare and valuable articles which are unique to the South Indian state.