AP, Andhra Paradesh Travel information, Tourist Places in Andhra Paradesh

AP : Andhra Paradesh Travel information

Andhra Pradesh or popularly known as AP is the fifth largest state in India both in population and area. This state is located at southern part of India. One of the developed state of India is popular for its agriculture, trade & industry and now Hyderabad is a premium destination for all IT companies of the world. Different areas of Andhra Pradesh are famous for different reasons. Krishna Godavari (the land of Krishna and Godavari) delta is famous for its rich fertile lands with lashing greenery. Vijayawada city located by the side of Krishna river is famous for its trade and commerce. Visakhapatnam is costal city is popular for its natural beaches and tourist places. The coastal line is 970Kms which is the second longest in India. We will try to explore many other places of Andhra Pradesh here.
The History of Andhrapradesh goes back to the years of BC 1000. Aitareya Brahmana of Rigveda, Natya Shastra of Bharata, Ashoka the great and Buddhist culture are all got importance in this present state. During the period of Satakarni (third king of Satavahana kings) this place got importance. Later, during Vijayanagara kingdom, lot of developments took place. After when India got independence, Hyderabad Nizams who refused to join, were made to surrended to the Indian Army within a very short duration during 1948. Prior to the independence, Kurnool was the state capital. On November 1st 1956, Telugu speaking areas were made different from Madras region into present Andhrapradesh with Hyderabad (belonging to Telangana region) as the state capital. There is a fight among various region in this state to have a different Telangana state since 1969.
Some of the importance visiting places in AP include, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam, Srisailam, Charminar at Hyderabad, Husain sagar at Hyderabad, Golconda fort, RIshikonda beach at Vizag. The only Saraswati temple in India is situated in AP at Basara. Temples at Annavaram, Bhadrachalam, Mantralaya are pilgrim destinations. Borra caves and Araku valley of Eastern Ghats are nearer to Vizag.
Krishna and Godavari rivers are two major rivers in Andhrapradesh. Kuchipudi dance is originated in Andhrapradesh.

Visakhapatnam
Lapped by the Bay of Bengal, on the eastern part of Andhra Pradesh lies the beach city, Vishakapatnam. It is the best tourism destination in Andhra Pradesh. The district has some breathtaking panorama of golden beaches, green fields, valleys and monuments. Visakhapatnam (also called Vizag and Valtair) has an important port in the eastern part of India. The district has the biggest ship building yard in India. The town is also a major industrial centre having some major industries like Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Bharat heavy plates and vessels, Hindustan Zinc, Visakha Oil refinery, Port Trust, Hindustan Polymers and Dredging Corportation of India etc.
Below are details of some important places to visit in and around Visakhapatnam.

Ramakrishna Beach

also called RK beach in the city. Rishikonda - beach resort, 8Kms from city. Erra Matti Dibbalu - Red sand small hills, picnic spot near beach RishiKonda beach. Kailasagiri - huge statue of Shiva and Parvathi, View of bay of Bengal from hill top, picnic spot. Simhachalam - hindu pilgrim centre, 16Kms from Vizag, Lord Vishnu temple. Bhimunipatnam - also called Bheemili, 24Kms from Vizag, ruins of Dutch fort, excellent sea view. Bojjanakonda, Thotlakonda and Bhavikonda - Buddhist places, ruins. Kondakarla - huge lake of Water lillies, boat ride. Yarada, Appikonda and Bangaramma Palem beaches. Araku - 1,300 metres above sea level, spectacular valley and tunnel view on the way by train. Borra Caves -natural caves near valley.

Hyderabad

Secunderabad and Hyderabad are twin cities (one of very few twin cities in the world) of Andhra Pradesh and is famous tourist attraction of South India. Both the cities are separated by a water reservoir called Hussain Sagar. Hyderabad is famous for its historic forts and monuments and Secunderabad famous for its culture, attractive lakes and parks.
Hyderbad is the sixth largest city of India and the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. This place is one of the important centre of Islamic culture whre Urdu is the major spoken language.
Below are the important places and distances to visit in and around Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Charminar

- 53metres hight and 30 metres wide tower, illuminated view from 7pm to 9pm everyday. Mecca Masjid - situated beside Charminar, one of the largest mosque in the world (accomodating nearly 10,000 people). Salar jang Museum - collections of Mir Yusuf Ali Khan and across the world, various sections for children and library. Birla Mandir - Lord Venkateshwara temple built with white marble, located at south end of Hussain Sagar lake, considered as Hindu pilgrim centre. Temple opening time from 7am to 12 noon and 3pm to 9pm. The Country's modern Birla Planetarium & Science Museum is situated beside Birla Mandir's hill. Buddha Statue at Hussain Sagar - beautiful lake with one of the world's largest stone statue of Bhddha, boat trips around the lake. Nehru Zoological Park is one of the largest zoo in India. Ramoji Film city vast stunning land with all kind of settings with all sort of culture and arrangement. Himayat Sagar a picnic spot, lake. Golconda Fort 10Kms from the city, ruins of 17th century.

East Godavari

This district is the well irrigated one in Andhra pradesh because of the river Godavari. Many tributories of Godavari flow through this district. East Godavari district also gets the importance because of the famous temple having historical stories. Among the five Pancharama temples in Andhra pradesh, two are situated in East Godavari district, one in Samalkot (Bheemeshwara Kumararama) and one in Draksha Rama (near Ramachandrapuram). The district also touches the coastal line at Bay of Bengal with the head quarters in Kakinada. Vadapalli and Ryali are two places both almost together (7-8 Kms away) are very famous for Venkateshwara swamy and Jagan Mohini temples respectively. Antarvedi is one more place which draws the attention of the travellers because of Vasishta Ashram and the meeting point of one of the tributories of river Godavari to sea. Lord Narasimha swamy temple can also be seen in Antarvedi. Rajahmundry and Kakinada are the two main business centres of this district.

West Godavari

Like East Godavari, this district of Andhra Pradesh is also well irrigated because of several tributories of Godavari. Two of the five Pancharama temples are situated in West Godavari. Palakollu is where Ksheera Rameshwara Swamy (Ksheerarama) temple is situated. In Bheemavaram , Sri Someshwara Swamy temple (Somarama) is located. The district head quarters is Eluru.

Warangal district

Here are some of the important visiting places:
Bhadrakali Temple, Govindarajula Gutta, Kakatiya Musical and Rock Gardens, Padmaskhi Temple, Pakhal Lake, Ramappa Temple and Lake, Siddeshwara Temple (Which was built in 3rd century), Thousand Pillared temple, Warangal Fort.

Pancharama Darshan in Andhra Pradesh

The five very sacred temples dedicated to lord Eshwara (Shiva) located in three district of Andhra Pradesh are of great spiritual importance. These five Pancharama temples are located in East Godavari (two numbers), West Godavari (two numbers) and Guntur (one temple) districts of AP. Visiting all these five temples in one day during Kartika masam (November-December) is considered very sacred.

Some statistics on Andhrapradesh:

State capital: Hyderabad
Number of districts: 23
Area: 2,76,755 Sq. Kms
Population: 7,62,10,010 (Men - 3,85,27,415 and Women - 3,76,82,595)
Spoken language: Telugu, Urdu, Hindi

Source : go2india.in