[ Edit ] Overview

Andhra Pradesh was created by combining the Telugu speaking portions of the State of Madras with the State of Hyderabad.  Sometimes referred to as the "Rice Bowl" of India, Andhra Pradesh has two major rivers flowing through it - the Krishna and Godaveri rivers.

Once a part of the Ashoka Empire, Andhra Pradesh was historically an important Budhhist center and traces of this remain in several places in the State. Various empires including the Chalukyas, the Cholas, and the Vijayanagar empires ruled over Andhra.  During the Mughal era of India, Andhra Pradesh was the southern extent of the Mughal rule and was the arena for Hindu-Muslim power struggles.  In 1713, a General of Emperor Aurangazeb's army took over Andhra, and the Nizams ruled Andhra right through India's independence. 

There are several attractive destinations in Andhra Pradesh including Hyderabad, pilgrimage sites (Tirupati, Puttaparthi. Srikalahasti, and more), and heritage sites (Amaravati, Lepakshi, Nagarjunakonda, Golconda, and more), and beach destinations (Vishakapatnam).

To explore Weekend Getaways from Hyderabad (in Andhra Pradesh), Click Here, and use the easy Rang7 Weekend Getaway tool.

For more general information on Andhra Pradesh (Economy, History, Demographics, etc.), please refer to the Andhra Pradesh Wiki Guide.

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Highlights

[ Edit ] Destinations in Andhra Pradesh

• Amaravati:  Amaravati is one of the most sacred pilgrim centre for Buddhists in South India.

• Horsley Hills: Horsley Hills is one of Andhra's three hill stations and is named after the Collector of Cuddapah district, W.D. Horsley, who chose this hill station as his summer residence.

• Hyderabad:  Hyderabad, the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, has a history dating back 400+ years and was home to the Deccan Nawabs.  Hyderabad is also hope to one of the fastest growing IT hubs in India. 

• Lepakshi:  Site of the the famous Veerabhadra Temple (built during the reign of the Vijayanagar Empire of the Hampi fame).

• Puttaparthi:  Puttaparthi is the home of the spiritual guru, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, believed to be the reincarnation of the Shirdi Sai Baba, a saint who lived in the beginning of the 20th century. Puttaparthi draws a large number of tourists and devotees all year around.

• Srikalahasti: 

• Tirupati: Tirupati is one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations in South India and home to the Tirumala Tirupati Sri Venkateswara Temple.

• Vijayawada: Vijayawada, the 3rd largest city in Andhra Pradesh, literally translates to "The Place of Victory" and located on the banks of Krishna River.

• Vishakapatnam:  The "Jewel of the East Coast", Viskhapatnam with its long stretch of shoreline and beaches, is picturesquely located among the hills of the Eastern Ghats.

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[ Edit ] Festivals of Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh celebrates most of the festivals of India. Given the concentration of Muslims in certain parts, particularly in Hyderabad, Muslim festivals are also celebrated with great fervor. 

The festivals that are most popular in Andhra Pradesh are:

• Ugadi: The Ugadi festival marks the start of a new Hindu lunar calendar for Hindus.  The festival is celebrated with their close family and perform poojas and customary rituals.  Ugadi typically falls in March - April. more

• Sankranti: Sankranti (also known as Makara Sankranti) is a harvest festival which ushers in the spring season.  it is celebrated to reinforce goodwill, to reiterate commitments, and to make fresh vows for the year ahead.  

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[ Edit ] Food of Andhra Pradesh

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[ Edit ] Monuments & Temples in Andhra Pradesh

Important Monuments & Temples in Andhra Pradesh include:

• Charminar: A 400+ year old monument that is Hyderabad's signature landmark.

• Golconda Fort: In its prime, Golconda Fort was an impregnable fort, and was notable for many of its engineering achivements.  Sprawling over a boulder strewn hill-top and plauteau near Hyderabad, Golconda Fort was the bastion of the Qutub Shahi dynasty that ruled over the Deccan region from 1507 to 1687.

• Lepakshi Temples: The famous Veerabhadra Temple (built during the reign of the Vijayanagar Empire of the Hampi fame) and two other temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu are located in Lepakshi.

• Tirumala Tirupati Venkateswara Temple: Considered one of the most sacred temples in India, the Tirumala Tirupati Sri Venkateswara Temple is situated in the town of Tirupati.

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[ Edit ] National Parks & Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh

National Parks & Wildlife in Andhra Pradesh include:

• Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park:  Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park is located in the Jubilee Hills suburb of Hyderabad and has over 600 species of plant life, 140 species of birds and 30 different varieties of butterflies and reptiles

• Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park:  Once the private hunting ground for former Nizam of Hyderabad, the Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park has a large population of Blackbuck deer.

• Mrugavani National Park:  Located 25 kms from Hyderabad, Mrugavani National Park has over 100 recognised species of wildlife including Jungle Cat, Mongoose, Cheetal or Spotted deer, and Sambar.

• Nagarjunasagar Tiger Reserve: Nagarjunasagar Tiger Reserve is the largest tiger reserve in the country and is generally off the regular tourist circuit.  This reserve is part of India's Project Tiger conservation program.

• Sri Venkateswara National Park:  Sri Venkateswara Park stradles Chittoor and Cuddapah districts of Andhra Pradesh.  The Park has a hilly terrain bounded by Seshachalam and Tirumala hills and is famous for its beautiful waterfalls including the Talakona, Gundalakona and Gunjana.

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Other Information

[ Edit ] Andhra Pradesh Area

275,608 sq kms

Andhra Pradesh today has 23 districts.  They are: Adilabad, Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, East Godavari, Guntur, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Krishna, Kurnool, Mahbubnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Prakasam, Rangareddy, Srikakulam, Sri Potti Sreeramulu Nellore, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Warangal and West Godavari. 

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[ Edit ] Andhra Pradesh Languages

The primary languages spoken in Andhra Pradesh are Telugu, Hindi, and Urdu.

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[ Edit ] Andhra Pradesh Population

76,210,007

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[ Edit ] Capital of Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad

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