Andhra Pradesh is a symbol of the true spirit of Indian secularism where people of all faiths -Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu form a symphony of religions.
Once among the poorest states of the Indian Union, it's transformation to one of the most industialized states has been slow but steady. The state stands on the high Deccan plateau, sloping down to the low-lying coastal regions in the the east where the Godavri and Krishna meet the Bay of Bengal.
The capital Hyderabad, was built by the Qutb Shahi Kings in 1590. Once here visit the Char Minar literally meaning the Four Quartets was built in 1591 to commemorate the end of a plague in Hyderabad. At the Safdar Gunj Museum are on display art , artifacts and trinkets of a wide variety.Also worth visiting are the Golconda Forts and the Qutb Shahi Tombs and the Mecca Masjd Mosque.
Hyderabad's answer to Victoria and Albert Museum is the Salar Jung Museum ,built by Mir Yusaf Ali. It has more than 35,000 exhibits including works of sculpture, wooddrawing, religious objects , armoury and weaponry.
The Nehru Zoological Park is on an area of more than 1.2 square k.m and is home to many exotic ,rare species.
The Hussain Sagar Lake separates Hyderabad from its twin city of Secunderabad. Vishakapatnam is one of the fastest growing port cities in India Its best known sight is the Dolphin's Nose which is a rocky promontory jutting out into the harbor.
At Nagarjunasagar is Nagarjunakonda where Buddhist ruins have been found from the waters of the dam and re-sited from the island.
Tirupati, the holiest of holy places of 'Indian worship is situated at the base of the Tirumala hills.It holds the temple of Lord Venkatweshwara where innumerable faithful line upto to have an audience(darshan) with their lord. It is one of the few holy places where access is permitted to even a Non-Hindu.
Called the Abode of Highest Peace the Prasantha Nilayam Ashram of Lord Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Puttaparthi has many followers to its faith. It offers excellent food and accomodation to its visitors/devotees.
The best time to visit is between October and February.
Places to visit:
Char Minar - This magnificent monument built by Quli Qutub Shah, is synonymous with Hyderabad. It was built in 1591 by Quli Qutb Shah. to mark the end of the plague that had ravaged the city. Four graceful minarets from which 'Char Minar' derives its name, literally meaning 'Four Minars' soar to a height of 48.7 m above the ground. All around the Char Minar is the bustling Laad bazaar selling pearl, antiques, perfume and ittar.
Golconda Fort - This massive fort of perimeter 11 km has the history of medieval Deccan written in its ruins. The fort was the capital of Qutb Shahi kings throughout their rule. Once famous for its diamond market, the 'Kohinoor', the largest diamond in the world, was quarried here.
Salar Jung museum - A one-man collection of antiques, the artifacts on display are unique and range through varied periods of time and places in the world. The collection at this unique museum was put together by Nawab Mir Yusaf Ali Khan (Salar Jung III), the Prime Minister of the Nizam. It contains about 43,000 art exhibits and 50,000 books from all over the world. .
Tirupati - is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage centers of India. It is an unique example of the Dravidian architecture. The temple has an exquisitely carved Gopuram facing the east. The Vimana is completely covered with the gold plate, known as Ananda Nilayam. The annual festival, held in September every year, attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the country.
Medak - The famous landmark of Medak is the Church. It is known for its pointed stained-glass windows, that depict the story of the Bible, in blazing coloured pictures.
Borra caves - Borra is a village in the Ananthagiri hills in the south-east corner of Srungavarapukota Taluk, about 29 kms from Araku Valley and 90 kms from Visakhapatnam. The caves at this place, popularly known as the Borra Caves are of historical importance and religious value. Dating back to a million years, they present a breathtaking display of naturally sculpted splendour, in superb stalagamite formations.
Nagarjuna Sagar - Nagarjuna Sagar in an important Buddhist site located 150 km from Hyderabad. Today, Nagarjuna Sagar is known for the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam - the world's tallest masonry dam that supplies water to over 10 lakh acres of land. It was while the dam was being built that the ruins of an ancient Buddhist civilisation were excavated. Some of the relics unearthed have been preserved on a picturesque island called Nagarjuna Konda, located in the centre of a man-made lake.
Thousand-Pillar Temple - The famous thousand-pillar temple, built in 1163 AD, by king Rudra Deva is a significant monument situated near the Hanamkonda-Warangal highway. One thousand richly carved pillars and a magnificent black basalt Nandi are unique to this temple which is dediated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya.
Warangal Fort- was built during the 13th century by the Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva and his daughter Rudramma. Some of the remains that stand here to this day include four huge stone gateways and several exquisite pieces of sculpture
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